The trends are changing in the automotive world and things that were a trickle are now turning into a flood. While carmakers are continuing with body styles like sedans and hatchbacks, increasingly the market is going for crossovers, sport-utility vehicles and multi-utility vehicles. However, what the OEMs used to call monospaces, essentially vans in various shapes and sizes to haul loads of people and luggage are going out of favour, or are reshaping to look like SUVs. And so is everything else, including the smallest hatchbacks.
The other big change is with electric vehicles. While this has been coming, just a couple of years ago companies were talking in terms of the mid-2020s to make big changes in their portfolio. Now, standing in 2022, that doesn’t seem very far any more at all. And the product availability in the market is making that quite apparent. So, yes, we’ll be driving zero-emission vehicles very soon in increasingly larger numbers as more of them become available at prices that will not require us to break the bank. Oh, and these changes will happen up and down the order.
MERCEDES-BENZ EQS
It’s tough to outdo the halo of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class as luxury sedans go and it would be similar to beat the EQS when it comes to electric vehicles too. We are expecting an India launch in the second half of the year and a price that should be close to Rs 2 crore.
RANGE ROVER
A new-generation model has been rolled out last year and we expect it to hit Indian shores this year. It’s dramatically pared down in terms of looks and is available with a mild and plug-in hybrids. It is expected in India in the latter part of the year. Prices will be upwards of Rs 2 crore.
BMW X3
The SUV is in for an update with a new front-end design that is moving towards the more prominent grille and smaller headlamps seen on the sedans. The powertrains are likely to be a 2-litre diesel and a 3-litre petrol. Prices are expected to stay around the current levels of around Rs 60 lakh.
NEW AUDI Q3
This smaller SUV has been missing from Audi’s India line-up for a while now after a good run of its previous model. We are expecting it back this year with the new look and primarily petrol engines, although a diesel remains a possibility. Price should be around the Rs 40 lakh range.
NEW BMW M4
This is the thrill-seekers ride and there is a new one out there that should be making it to India this year. It has a chassis that is sharper than the regular 4-Series and doing duty under the bonnet is likely to be a 3-litre turbo petrol belting out nearly 500bhp. Price is likely to be in the Rs 1.5 crore range.
SUZUKI JIMNY
This is one vehicle that has been long awaited in India, in fact ever since the Gypsy was discontinued. The buzz is it will come in a five-door avatar instead of the popular three-door version, but with all the other bells and whistles that make it a capable offroader. Expected price is Rs 10 lakh-plus.
TATA ALTROZ EV
Tata Motors has had this vehicle in the works for a good two years now and is probably going to finally roll it out this year. We are expecting the same or similar powertrain that’s available in the Nexon SUV and makes about 129ps. Expected starting price is around Rs 10 lakh.
SKODA SLAVIA
This marks the start of Skoda Auto’s next stage in the India 2.0 project after the Kushaq SUV. Built on the MQB-A0-IN platform, it is high on safety and comfort features. The power output of the TSI petrol engines available are 115ps and 150ps. Expected price is around Rs 10 lakh.
TATA TIAGO EV
After Tata Motors made the Tigor available as an EV, the Tiago, the hatchback version of the sedan, is expected with the same powertrain that puts out about 75ps of power. Pricing could be a tough call though.
NEW HYUNDAI KONA
Hyundai has had the earlier version of this electric vehicle on sale in India and now there is a more SUV-like version out. This is way bolder than the existing model but the underpinnings are likely to remain similar. Prices too should stay in the Rs 25 lakh range.
KIA CARENS
This is Kia’s new recreational vehicle for the Indian market and is built on the same platform as the Seltos, although they are visually very different. Expect it to come with a 1.5-litre diesel and a 2-litre petrol engine options and loads of space. Expected price is Rs 15 lakh to Rs 20 lakh.
NEW AUDI A3
This was Audi’s entry-level offering in the sedan segment and it did find quite a few takers. That should hold for the new car as well, more so since there was a convertible too. It should be here only with petrol engines and power of about 150bhp. Prices are likely to be around Rs 40 lakh.
NEW HYUNDAI TUCSON
The new design of Hyundai’s bigger SUV is in line with the new corporate look of its vehicles and a big departure from the earlier ones. It looks muscular and quite unique. Powerplants are likely to be two-litre petrol and diesels. Prices should remain around Rs 25 lakh.
TOYOTA HILUX
This is a terribly niche vehicle with the Isuzu D-Max as its only possible competitor. Trucks aren’t popular in India and it is only the domain primarily of those who do adventure travel and go offroad. This is likely to come with 2.5- or 3-litre diesels and at a price of around Rs 25 lakh.
MAHINDRA eKUV100
This compact SUV/crossover was nearly production ready two years ago, so much so that its price of around Rs 8 lakh was announced. It then got derailed by the pandemic and should eventually hit the market this year.
MARUTI SUZUKI S-CROSS
The S-Cross was one of the earlier crossovers in the Indian market and now there is an international model change. We expect it to come to India too this year. It is likely to continue with the same BS6 drive trains in the current model. Expected price is around Rs 10 lakh.
VOLKSWAGEN VIRTUS
The Virtus will be the successor to the Vento in India. This compact sedan is related to the new Polo. The fastback, with a length of 4.48 meters, is based on the modular transverse toolkit (MQB) platform and would be adopted to the India-specific platform. Expected price is around Rs 10 lakh.
JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE
This is a niche model from Jeep that has all the offroad cred of the brand. It has had an update in the American market and there are seven-seater and five-seater options. The latter is the one that could make it here. Prices are likely to be in the Rs 1 crore range.
MAHINDRA eXUV300
One of the safest vehicles on the Indian roads in its internal combustion engine form, this vehicle, like the eKUV100, looked close to production in 2020. It should compete with the Nexon.
