September is when the festive season in India starts heating up before culminating in October. With improving buyer sentiment, carmakers are keen to cash in on the positive mood. Some of the cars that will be launching here this festive season are —
Skoda Yeti facelift
The facelifted Skoda Yeti will be launched on September 10. It will come with a few cosmetic changes on the outside and in and get some new features as well. It has the same 2.0-litre TDI motor as the current car that makes 108.5bhp in the front-wheel-drive variant combined with a five-speed manual gearbox, and 138bhp in the all-wheel-drive variant mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. The Yeti facelift will be offered in our market only in the top-end Elegance trim.
Mercedes E 350 CDI
Mercedes-Benz has confirmed that it will expand the E-class India range by adding a new E 350 CDI model. It will be launched on September 11. The Mercedes-Benz E 350 CDI has a 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine mated to a seven-speed automatic gearbox. It will come in both petrol and diesel guise while an AMG-powered version is also expected. Mercedes is likely to price the new E 350 CDI at around Rs 58 lakh.
Lamborghini Huracan
Successor to the legendary Gallardo, Lamborghini will launch the Huracan on September 22. It comes with a 5.2-litre V10 motor that makes 601bhp. The power is sent to all wheels using a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Lamborghini Huracan is likely to be priced at around Rs 3.8 crore (ex-showroom, Delhi).
Mercedes GLA
Mercedes will launch the GLA compact luxury SUV in India on September 30. It comes with a 181bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine or a 2.2-litre diesel engine in the GLA 200 CDI. Both engines will be paired to a seven-speed gearbox, sending power to the front wheels. The Mercedes GLA is expected to compete with the likes of the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and the Volvo V40 Cross Country. Bookings for the car are already underway; and the GLA 200 is likely to be priced around Rs 30-32 lakh (ex-showroom).
Fiat Avventura
No, this is not just a Punto with cladding. This is Fiat’s crossover based on the Punto Evo. Aggressive looks, raised ride height and capable driving dynamics make it a more potent package than pseudo-crossovers. Power comes from the 92bhp 1.3-litre diesel motor found in the Linea and the Punto Evo Sport. The Fiat Avventura goes head to head with the likes of the Toyota Etios Cross, Volkswagen Cross Polo and the Ford EcoSport. A launch is expected around the end of September.
Mahindra Scorpio facelift
Mahindra will soon launch a facelifted Scorpio with upmarket interiors and a revised exterior. Likely additions are a new dashboard, touchscreen, sat-nav, rear view camera and climate control. The Scorpio facelift is likely to retain the engines; which means the 120bhp 2.2-litre mHawk and the 75bhp 2.5-litre m2DiCR will come mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. The Tata Safari Storme is a major rival to the Scorpio.
Updated Mahindra Xylo
Mahindra will also launch an updated Xylo MPV soon. To keep sales of the MPV ticking, Mahindra has given the Xylo some cosmetic and mechanical tweaks. It gets a dual-tone dashboard and new seat fabrics. It retains the mHawk engines from the current car with some tweaks to the suspension setup. A launch is expected soon.
Renault Duster AWD
Renault is all set to launch a top-of-the-line variant of the Duster, equipped with four-wheel-drive. Badged Duster AWD, it gets power from the 108.5bhp 1.5-litre K9K diesel engine coupled with a six-speed manual gearbox sending power to all four wheels. A launch is expected soon; and with the new mechanical change, the Duster will take on the likes of the Tata Safari Storme, Mahindra Scorpio and the Mahindra XUV 500.
Maruti Ciaz
The Ciaz is Maruti’s third attempt at the sedan segment; more importantly, it’s an attempt to take the Maruti brand upmarket. The Maruti Ciaz is expected to launch mid-October. It is powered by the 91bhp 1.4-litre petrol engine and 89bhp 1.3-litre Fiat-sourced diesel engine from the Ertiga. The petrol motor comes with a five speed manual or a four-speed automatic gearbox, while the diesel variant gets only a five-speed manual gearbox. The Maruti Ciaz takes on the likes of the Honda City, Hyundai Verna, Volkswagen Vento, Skoda Rapid and the Fiat Linea.
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