Jeep Compass
The Jeep Compass is all set to enter the Indian market early next year. It was just unveiled in Brazil where it will be manufactured at the company’s new manufacturing facility in Goiana, Pernambuco. This is the very same car that is set to be launched in the Indian market. The Jeep Compass will be the most affordable SUV from Jeep’s stable at the time of its launch and will be locally manufactured at FCA India’s Ranjangaon facility. It will be powered by as many as 17 powertrains globally but expect the 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engines to make it to India. The Jeep Compass will stay true to its genes with best in class offroad ability and luxury. The Jeep Compass will compete with the Honda CR-V and Skoda Yeti once launched in India.
Maruti Suzuki Swift
The all new Maruti Suzuki Swift is set to enter the Indian market in March 2017. The car will be based on a new platform which will make it much lighter than before. The 3rd generation Swift will carry forward the same engine options from the current car which means it will get a 1.2-litre K-series petrol and a 1.3-litre diesel motor. The company could also offer its in-house developed 1.5-litre diesel motor on the new Swift in India. The interiors of the 2017 Maruti Suzuki Swift will be revolutionary with an all-new dashboard, steering wheel and a touchscreen infotainment system. The car will compete with the Hyundai Grand i10, Toyota Etios and Ford Figo.
Hyundai Verna
The latest iteration of the very successful Hyundai Verna is headed to India in early 2017. The Honda City competitor will get a new exterior design although dimensions won’t increase by much. The car will get an all new interior loaded with features which is nothing new for a Hyundai. The next generation Hyundai Verna will share its engine options with the Creta SUV which means it will be powered by 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engines, mated to 6-speed manual and automatic gearboxes. The new Verna is expected to make huge strides in the dynamics department. Each new Hyundai car over the past few years have seen giant leaps in this area, and it won’t be surprising if the new Hyundai Verna is the best handling Hyundai till date. Prices are expected to range in between Rs. 8-13 lakhs.
Honda Civic
Yes, you heard it right. The Honda Civic will make a comeback to India next year. It will be positioned in between the City and Accord Hybrid which is set launch later this month. The Honda Civic boasts of all new design with a new front grille, LED headlamps and a fastback like rear profile. The car is expected to be class leading in terms of performance and dynamics. It will draw power from a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol motor and will come mated to an automatic gearbox. A manual gearbox could be offered on entry level variants. The Honda Civic will take on cars like the Skoda Octavia, Volkswagen Jetta and Toyota Corolla.
Nissan Micra
The next generation Nissan Micra has just broke cover at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. The car breaks away from the cute and cheerful looks, and looks much more aggressive and daring this time around. So you get the family V-motion front grille which is set extremely low rising towards a multi-sculpted side and a squat rear end. The car boasts of a drag coefficient of just 0.29 and is expected to be even more fuel efficient in this new avatar. Globally the car will be offered with two engine options “ a 0.9-litre turbo-petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel developing 90 HP respectively. The 5th generation Nissan Micra also boasts of many safety features like ABS, Airbags, lane departure warning, emergency braking with pedestrian detection, high beam assist, blind spot detection, Active Trace Control and Active Ride Control. The car is expected to launch in India by end 2017.
