While the Auto Expo 2018 saw many car manufacturers putting on display the latest and the best from their stables, there were many models that were rather conspicuous by their absence at this year’s motor show. Much of it has to do with the fact that many car companies decided to give this year’s Expo a miss. Even the ones present seem to have decided to unveil some of their upcoming cars at a later stage. Anyway, with the 2018 Expo done and dusted, we take a good look at some of the upcoming cars that were NOT present at the motor show.
Maruti Ciaz Facelift
It’s pretty well-known that Maruti has been busy readying a facelift-ed Ciaz that is likely to launch soon. Unlike what was speculated, the Ciaz facelift didn’t make it to the Expo, which means the updated car is still some time away from its launch. The Ciaz facelift will likely come with an updated front-end styling along with a handful of new features. There are good chances that the specifications won’t see much of a change. However, the facelift is likely to be comprehensive enough to inject some botox into the three-year-old sedan.
Maruti Ertiga (All-new)
Maruti also plans to launch an all-new Ertiga in near future. The new-gen MPV will be based on the Dzire’s HEARTECT lightweight platform, which means it’s likely to be more frugal as well as agiler. Also, it will launch with Suzuki’s upcoming 1.5-litre Turbo Diesel engine. The current petrol engine will be carried over. Expect more interior space and a longer list of features.
Maruti Vitara Brezza Petrol
While Maruti did display a rally-spec Brezza at the Expo, the highly awaited Petrol variant was nowhere to be seen. Yes, if speculations are to be believed, the company is indeed working on a petrol-powered version of its popular compact SUV. Powering the Brezza petrol will be the same 1.2-litre engine that powers the Baleno hatchback. Expect it to launch with both manual and automatic transmissions.
Hyundai Santro (All-new)
Yes, India’s favourite Korean tallboy is about to launch again! Hyundai was expected to showcase the new-gen Santro at the Expo. However, its absence means that the market launch is still a few months away from us. The new Santro will have a modern design, spacious cabin, and a frugal yet efficient petrol engine. The company has already announced that the new Santro will mark the debut of the first-ever AMT transmission from Hyundai India.
Hyundai Creta Facelift
First launched in 2015, the Hyundai Creta has been among the most successful SUVs of recent times. While the Creta doesn’t face much of a threat from any of its rivals, Hyundai India is still planning to launch a facelifted version of its popular SUV. The Creta facelift will carry minor visual tweaks along with some more features. Its specifications, however, are likely to remain unchanged.
Mahindra U321
The U321 is basically the internal name for Mahindra’s upcoming premium MPV that will launch this year. The U321 MPV will offer various seating layouts along with a really long list of features. The new model will boast a monocoque construction and will be powered by one of the new-age Diesel engines from the popular UV-manufacturer. While prices will be revealed only at the time of launch, we expect the upcoming Mahindra MPV to be a suitable-yet-cheaper alternative to the rather invincible Toyota Innova Crysta.
Mahindra S201
Mahindra and Mahindra has been busy preparing a suitable rival to the likes of Maruti Vitara Brezza and Ford EcoSport. Internally known as the S201, the upcoming Mahindra compact SUV will launch with modern petrol and Diesel engines. It will also have enough features to justify a premium price positioning. While the S201 wasn’t on display at the Expo, we are still hopeful of a Diwali-season launch.
Mahindra XUV500 Facelift
Unfortunately, even the much-awaited XUV500 facelift was not present at the Expo. The updated XUV500 will carry many styling improvements along with some new features for the interior. The biggest change, however, will be the introduction of a more powerful version of the 2.2-litre Turbo Diesel that will produce 170 BHP and 400 Nm.
Nissan Kicks
Nissan will launch a new small SUV that will rival the likes of Hyundai Creta and Renault Captur. Known as the Nissan Kicks, this five-seater SUV has already been on sale in many international markets. The new model will be positioned slightly above the Terrano in Nissan India’s product portfolio.
Jeep Compass Diesel Automatic + Trailhawk
Jeep India chose not to attend the Expo. No surprise, then, that the upcoming Diesel Automatic and Trailhawk variants were not on display at this year’s motor show. It may be noted that the premium clientele of the Compass has been eagerly waiting for the launch of the Diesel auto variant. Moreover, the upcoming Trailhawk model is something that many off-roading aficionados have been waiting for. We now expect the duo to launch in the next fiscal.
Ford Freestyle
Basically a crossover-ish version of the Figo hatchback, the Freestyle made its public debut days before the Expo. Of course, it couldn’t make it to India’s biggest motor show as Ford India decided to give it a skip. The Freestyle is available with the new 1.2-litre Dragon petrol engine along with the tried-and-tested 1.5-litre Turbo Diesel motor. It gets a handful of updates to validate the car’s crossover credentials. An early April launch can’t be ruled out.
Ford Figo Facelift
The Ford Figo facelift, which will probably launch alongside the Freestyle, is already on sale in international markets under the Ka moniker. The facelift brings in a set of styling updates that give the little hatchback a fresher look. The biggest update for the interior is the introduction of the new SYNC3 infotainment system. However, the biggest update, at least in our books, comes from the introduction of the new 1.2-litre petrol engine from Ford’s Dragon series of motors.
Ford Aspire Facelift
Akin to the Figo, even its sedan sibling, the Aspire, will soon get a facelift. Even the Ford Aspire FL (facelift) will come with a new 1.2-litre petrol engine along with the updated features that the Figo FL will come with. Again, there’s no official word on the launch timeline but an April launch date can’t really be ruled out at the moment.
So, which of these upcoming cars have you been waiting for? Let us know by commenting.
[“Source-cartoq”]