2017 has been a happening year so far with a slew of cars from Indian and international manufacturers alike. We've got everyday heroes like the Dzire and Ignis, the Octavia and its double-horned brother the Octavia RS, the all-new 5 Series from BMW, Merc's lounge-level E-Class LWB, Land Rover's gargantuan Discovery, the facelifted Maruti S-Cross, Skoda's first SUV, the Kodiaq, and so much more. But the year is far from over, and in the coming months until we big 2017 goodbye, expect a solid handful of new launches:
Skoda Kodiaq SUV (October 4, 2017)
Skoda’s all-new Kodiaq is a three-row SUV, based on the Superb's underpinnings, which will launch on October 4, 2017. The SUV will be powered by a 2.0-litre diesel engine good for 143hp. The Kodiaq for India will come with full LED head- and tail-lamps, a four-camera setup for an aerial view or a 180-degree view of the car, and an infotainment system with Skoda Connect, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Kodiaq is relatively compact, but boasts a 2,005-litre boot with the second and the third row folded, 190mm of ground clearance and 300mm of water-wading capability.
Renault Captur (October 2017)
Expected to hit showrooms this festive season, Renault’s Captur is based on the Duster’s M0 platform and will be positioned above it in the French manufacturer’s India portfolio. The crossover will be powered by the familiar K9K 1.5-litre diesel engine and the Duster’s new 1.5-litre petrol unit. Both engines will be mated to a manual transmission, though there are talks of 4WD and automatic gearbox options to be added to the line-up later. The Captur will face-off against Hyundai’s Creta.
Also read: India-spec Renault Captur details revealed
New Audi A5 (October 5, 2017)
Audi is set to bring in 10 new products this year, one of which will be the A5. Unlike its predecessor that was only offered as the performance S5 Sportback and RS5, the new-gen model will offer three styles to choose from in a bid to appeal to a wider set of buyers and expand its presence in the segment. Interestingly, India will get the Cabriolet version for the first time. Internationally, petrol engines offered with the A5 range from an entry-level 190hp, 2.0-litre to a more potent 252hp, 2.0-litre unit. The diesel model is available with a 190hp, 2.0-litre unit or the larger 3.0-litre, six-cylinder diesel in two outputs – 218hp and 272hp. Although not confirmed, for India, the 252hp petrol seems to be the frontrunner and the 190hp diesel could be under consideration.
Volkswagen Passat (October 10, 2017)
Volkswagen is set to relaunch the Passat in India this year in standard as well as hybrid form. The standard car will be offered with VW's new EA288, 177hp, 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine, paired with an automatic gearbox. The model is expected to be assembled at VW's Aurangabad facility and priced in the region of Rs 32-34 lakh (ex-showroom). The plug-in hybrid Passat GTE is aimed at catering to the rising interest in alternatively fuelled cars in the country. However, while the standard car will be readily available, the GTE is only expected to be sold in limited numbers.
Maruti S-Cross facelift
Maruti is readying the launch of the facelifted S-Cross in India. The updated crossover will get revised styling updates to the cabin and is likely to introduce a new petrol motor. The existing set of diesel engines could carry forward with the facelift. The S-Cross is expected to be launched around the festive season.
Also read:
Maruti S-Cross facelift review
Ford EcoSport facelift (October)
Ford gave the EcoSport a comprehensive makeover prior to the LA motor show late last year. Cosmetic changes to the EcoSport include a new front fascia and a heavily revised cabin. The international model missed the tailgate-mounted spare wheel, though, for India, this design element will carry forward with the new SUV. Inside, there is a new dashboard that now houses a large, centrally located touchscreen infotainment system. For India, the facelifted EcoSport is expected to carry forward using the existing 1.0-litre EcoBoost and the 1.5-litre diesel engines, though a new 1.5-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine from Ford’s Dragon series of motors will replace the current petrol mill. While it gets an all-wheel drive in international markets, the feature is unlikely to be offered in India. Expect a launch near the festive season.
Land Rover Range Rover Velar (November 2017)
The sporty Range Rover Velar is expected to launch as a CBU during the festive season. The Velar will be powered by a 250hp 2.0-litre Ingenium petrol and a 2.0-litre Ingenium diesel in 180hp or 240hp states of tune. A standard ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic is paired with each engine and delivers power to all-four-wheels.
Also read: 2017 Range Rover Velar to be priced from Rs 75 lakh
Mitsubishi Outlander
Mitsubishi is set to expand its model line-up in the country with the launch of the new Outlander. Set to be launched in the coming months, the Outlander will be available as a petrol-only model and will be imported as a CBU. Powering the SUV will be a 169hp, 2.4-litre petrol engine paired with a CVT gearbox and Mitsubishi's Super All-Wheel Control four-wheel-drive system.
Also read: 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander India launch soon
Mahindra Scorpio facelift
Mahindra has begun testing a facelift for the Scorpio ahead of its expected launch in the second half of the year. Apart from updated styling, the refreshed SUV will also get mechanical updates with the 2.2-litre diesel engine set to receive a bump up in power from the current 120hp to 140hp. Spy shots of test mules indicate that most of the changes to the car will happen up front and to the rear, with little to no change on body panels elsewhere. There are yet no details about changes to the cabin, though we could expect Mahindra to revise the equipment list along with some revised switchgear. The facelift version may come with the 2.2-litre petrol engine under development, depending on market response to the motor that will debut in the XUV500.
Also read: Mahindra Scorpio facelift to get new 6-speed automatic
Mahindra Scorpio facelift could miss out on hybrid tech
Refreshed Mahindra XUV500
Mahindra is also lining up a second update for the XUV500. Facelifted in 2015, the XUV500 will receive a mild facelift along with an updated diesel engine. As with the Scorpio, the XUV500's 2.2 diesel unit will also get a bump up in power – up by 30hp from 140hp to 170hp. Apart from the engine, expect minor tweaks to styling inside and out. Mahindra is also currently testing a 2.2-litre petrol engine based on the mHawk diesel motor’s engine block that is expected after the launch of the facelift.
Also read: Mahindra XUV500 to get a bump in power output
SCOOP! Mahindra XUV500 2.2 petrol in the works
New Maruti Suzuki Swift
Suzuki pulled the covers off the new Swift post-Christmas last year, with the model set to hit international markets during the course of 2017. For India, Maruti is currently testing the new third-gen model for a launch in 2018. The car for India is expected to carry forward using the current crop of 1.2-litre and 1.3-litre petrol and diesel engines, though, unlike its international counterpart, is expected to get a new interior, specifically for the country. The model will make its India debut at the Auto Expo 2018.
Also read: New 2018 Maruti Suzuki Swift: A close look
Hyundai i20 facelift
Hyundai has begun testing the i20 facelift on Indian roads, ahead of a possible launch sometime early next year. The refreshed hatchback is set to follow Hyundai's latest design language, with a more prominent grille up front and changes to the rear. Under the hood, the existing engines are expected to carry forward, with a new 1.0-litre turbo-petrol also likely to join the line-up.
Also read: SCOOP! Hyundai i20 facelift spied
Volkswagen Passat (October 10, 2017)
Volkswagen is set to relaunch the Passat in India this year in standard as well as hybrid form. The standard car will be offered with VW's new EA288, 177hp, 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine, paired with an automatic gearbox. The model is expected to be assembled at VW's Aurangabad facility and priced in the region of Rs 32-34 lakh (ex-showroom). The plug-in hybrid Passat GTE is aimed at catering to the rising interest in alternatively fuelled cars in the country. However, while the standard car will be readily available, the GTE is only expected to be sold in limited numbers.
Ford Figo, Aspire facelift (2018)
As part of its mid-cycle refresh, Ford will update its Figo hatchback and Aspire compact sedan with some cosmetic changes outside and inside. The highlight of the facelift will be the introduction of the all-new 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine from Ford’s new Dragon series of petrol motors that will replace the current 1.2-litre, four-cylinder Sigma petrol mill. A 1.5-litre petrol Dragon engine will make its first appearance in the facelifted EcoSport.
Also read: Ford Figo, Aspire facelifts coming next year