Car manufacturers will put their best foot forward this festive season. Similar to every year, the sub-Rs 10 lakh segment is likely to get the maximum traction in terms of sales. For those waiting for the opportune moment, we have curated a list of cars that are expected to hit the road in the coming months.
Hyundai AH2 (Santro)
Hyundai will launch an all-new hatchback, codenamed AH2, this festive season. The car is expected to continue Santro's legacy by taking up the same name. Hyundai has high hopes for the new Santro. They are targeting sales of around 8,000 units a month.
The new model will have last-gen i10's platform and will be powered by a 1.1-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine. The hatchback will also be the first-ever Hyundai car to come with an AMT, i.e, automated manual transmission system, and will have a tallboy design, which should translate to more cabin space. The price will range between Rs 3.5 lakh and Rs 5.5 lakh.
Tiago Tigor JTPTata Motors is planning to launch Tata Tiago JTP as a hot-hatch version of the company's high-selling budget hatchback. It is being developed by Tata Motors at Coimbatore-based Jayem Automotives.
The car will be powered by the Tata Nexon's 1.2-litre, turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine that offers 110 PS of power and 150 Nm of torque. According to reports, the car will have a stiff suspension and a performance-tuned gearbox. The price is expected to be around Rs 7-8 lakh.
Maruti Suzuki Ciaz Facelift
Maruti Ciaz 2018 is the only car in this list that has been made official and is already being spotted at various Nexa showrooms. The car has been restyled from both front and back. Ciaz 2018 features a sleeker grille, updated headlamps, and a bolder bumper. A few additions to the interiors includes a coloured TFT screen, faux wood panels and cruise control.
The current 1.4-litre motor has been replaced with a more powerful 1.5-litre version and the new engine also has an SHVS micro-hybrid system to increase the mileage. The prices start from Rs 8.19 lakh for the base petrol variant and goes up to Rs 10.57 lakh for the top variant.
Maruti Ertiga
The new Ertiga will be larger than the current model and will also offer a more powerful petrol engine in the form of the 1.5-litre K15B motor. It will be based on the HEARTECT lightweight platform and is expected to be in the Rs 7-12 lakh price bracket.
Ford Figo 2018
Ford India will soon launch an updated Figo. The new version will look more stylish and will have a sleeker grille and a boldly-styled bumper. It will come with many new features, including SYNC3 infotainment unit that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Besides, it will have a new 97 PS 1.2-litre Dragon petrol engine that will replace the 1.2-litre TiVCT motor of the current generation car. The price is expected to start from Rs 5 lakh.
Honda Brio
The second-generation Brio was recently unveiled at the ongoing Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show in Jakarta. According to experts, the new hatchback looks significantly different from the one currently sold in India and has borrowed looks from the second-gen Amaze.
Unlike the all-glass boot lid of the first-gen Brio, the new car gets a more conventionally styled rear. Like the sedan, the new Brio gets headlamps with light guides too. The new Brio continues to be powered by the 1.2-litre i-VTEC petrol engine that produces 90PS of power and 110Nm of torque. The car is expected to be priced between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 8 lakh.
Datsun Go+
The updated hatchback, Datsun Go+, is expected to be a showstopper in the under Rs 10 lakh bracket. The Go will receive many styling updates for its exterior and interior. It is expected to sport a new bumper, new headlamps, LED DRLs and a new grille. For interiors, the Go will have a touchscreen infotainment unit. The car was first showcased at the Auto Expo 2014. The projected price is around Rs 4 lakh.
Wagon-R
Wagon-R is one of the most reliable cars in the hatchback segment and is expected to be replaced by a new model around the festive season. While the new Wagon-R will retain its basic design, the car is expected to have more cabin space and boot space. Also expect LED lights, a new interior theme and a dashboard design upgrade. Suzuki has already launched the all-new WagonR in the Japanese market but the Indian version is expected to be fine-tuned according to the needs of this market. The car is expected to be powered by a 67-hp 1.0-litre petrol engine that will come paired with a five-speed manual transmission and an AMT automatic gearbox option will also be available. The new WagonR will also be safer than the current version. The new WagonR is expected to meet the requirements of Bharat New Vehicle Safety Assessment Program, which will be implemented in 2019.
XUV 300
XUV 300 is Mahindra's response to Maruti Brezza, Tata Nexon and Ford Ecosport. The compact SUV will be placed under the XUV 500 but will be launched at a price higher than TUV 300. The car will be based on SsangYong Tivoli but will come with a length shorter than 4 meters. The car is expected to launch at an aggressive price of Rs 6-9 lakh.