Carmakers will introduce a wide range of new cars and facelifts of existing models in the first quarter of FY 2022-23. In this article, we bring you a list of top 7 new cars and SUVs to be launched in the next 3 months –
1. Volkswagen Virtue
German automaker, Volkswagen will launch the much-awaited Vertus sedan in May 2022. Interested buyers can book the new Vertus online or at an authorized dealership. The company has also started production of the new sedan at its manufacturing facility in Aurangabad. It will rival the likes of Honda City, Hyundai Verna, Maruti Suzuki and the recently launched Skoda Slavia.
The new VW Vertus shares engine options, platform and components with the Slavia sedan. This MQB AO is based on the platform that underpins Kushk. The sedan will be offered with two engine options – a 115bhp, 1.0L 3-cylinder turbo petrol and a 148bhp, 1.5L 4-cylinder turbo petrol. Transmission options will include 6-speed manual, 6-speed torque converter automatic and 7-speed DSG automatic.
2. Honda City E: HEV
Honda will unveil the new City e:HEV hybrid sedan in the India market on April 14, 2022. The sedan is expected to be launched in May 2022. Select dealers have started taking pre-orders for the sedan. The new City Hybrid will come with Honda’s i-MMD Hybrid technology with twin electric motors and a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder naturally-aspirated Atkinson cycle petrol engine.
The petrol engine produces 98bhp power and 127Nm of torque. The electric motors act as an integrated starter generator (ISG) and provide 109bhp of power and 253Nm of torque. The sedan will have 3 drive modes – Pure EV, Petrol Mode and Hybrid. Similar to the Thai-spec Honda City Hybrid, the India-spec variant is likely to offer fuel economy of over 27kmpl.
3.BMW i4
British luxury carmaker, BMW will unveil the new i4 pure electric sedan in the country on 28 April. The electric sedan is expected to be launched in May 2022. The new BMW i4 EV 3 Series is based on the CLAR platform. The EV sedan looks very similar to the 4 Series Gran Coupe; However, it does get some EV distinctive touches.
In international markets, the BMW i4 is offered in two variants – eDrive40 and M50 xDrive – with a floor-mounted lithium-ion battery pack with a gross power capacity of 83.9kWh and a net capacity of 80.7kWh. It is expected that India will get the base-spec xDrive 40 variant, which has a rear axle-mounted electric motor that produces 340bhp and 430Nm. It claims to achieve 0-100 kmph in 5.7 seconds. The claimed range of this variant is 590km, which is the highest in the country.
4. Jeep Meridian
The long-awaited Jeep Meridian 3-row SUV will be launched in the Indian market in May or June 2022. Interested buyers can pre-book the SUV for a token amount of Rs 50,000. The new Meridian 7-seater SUV is based on the small wide 4×4 platform that underlies the compass. This platform has been modified to accommodate the longer wheelbase. The SUV is expected to be priced aggressively and we expect the Meridian to be priced between Rs 33 lakh and Rs 40 lakh.
It measures 4,769mm in length, 1,859mm in width and 1,682mm in height and has a wheelbase of 2,794mm. The wheelbase has been extended by 158 mm to accommodate the longer body. In comparison to the Compass, the new Jeep Meridian is about 364 mm longer, 41 mm wider and 42 mm longer. Powering the new Meridian is a 2.0-litre Multijet II diesel engine that produces 173bhp and 350Nm of torque.
It is claimed to provide a top speed of 198 kmph and a top speed of 0-100 kmph in 10.8 seconds. Transmission options may include a 6-speed manual and a 9-speed automatic. While the manual version will get a 4×2 drivetrain system, the automatic SUV will come with 4×2 and 4×4 setups. The SUV offers 4 driving modes – Sand, Snow, Auto and Mud.
5. Citroen C3
French automaker, Citroen will launch the much-awaited C3 hatchback in the Indian market by May-June 2022. The new Citroen C3 is based on the Stellantis CMP (Common Modular Platform), which will also underpin future Citroen cars. At 3.98 meters tall, the new C3 is a crossover-designed hatchback. It comes with a raised bonnet and high ground clearance. Its overall width and height are 1829mm and 1474mm respectively. The hatch sits on a 2539mm long wheelbase.
The Citroen C3 will rival the likes of Tata Punch, Maruti Swift, Hyundai Grand i10 Nios and others in this category. The new model is likely to be equipped with a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine and 5-speed manual and 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox options. No diesel engine will be on offer.
6. New Mahindra Scorpio
Mahindra will introduce the new Scorpio SUV by June 2022. Mahindra is expected to unveil the new Scorpio in June, as the Scorpio nameplate will celebrate its 20th anniversary in June 2022. The new model could be the new generation Scorpio. Has been seen testing many times on Indian roads.
The new Mahindra Scorpio will be based on the ladder-on-frame chassis that underpins the new Thar. It will grow in size and offer a third row of seats to face. The SUV will be offered in 6- and 7-seat options, with the former having second row captain seats. It is expected to be offered with two engine options – a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol and a 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel. Transmission options are likely to include a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed torque converter automatic. The higher variants will get a 4×4 drivetrain as well as Terrain Mode and Drive Mode.
7. New Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Mercedes-Benz has confirmed that the new C-Class sedan will be launched in the country in 2022. If reports are to be believed, the new Mercedes C-Class will be launched in mid-2021 – around May. Already on sale in select international markets, the new C-Class rides on a 25 mm longer wheelbase and is 65 mm longer than the outgoing model. The company is likely to come with 48V mild hybrid technology.