The month of May saw important vehicle launches in India, such as Toyota Innova Crysta, Honda BR-V, Mercedes-Benz GLS, Lamborghini Huracan Spyder and the Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 facelift. Italian motorcycle manufacturer MV Augusta also forayed into India in May. The month of June also has many new launches lined up. The new car and bikes to be launched next month cater to the diverse segments of the industry. We have compiled a list new wheels entering to market soon.
Datsun redi-Go
Nissan's Datsun brand will introduce the redi-Go hatchback to the market in the first week of June. The third car model for India from Datsun, the redi-Go is based on the CMF-A platform developed by Renault and Nissan. This is the same platform that underpins Renault Kwid. The cars also have identical powertrains. The redi-Go is powered by a 799cc three-cylinder petrol motor that churns out 53bhp and a peak torque of 72Nm, mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. It returns a claimed fuel efficiency of 25.17kmpl. Datsun has commenced bookings for the redi-Go from May 1 and the car will get a price tag in the range or Rs. 2.5 lakh to Rs. 3.5 lakh.
Volkswagen Ameo
Volkswagen's first-tailor made product for India, the Ameo compact sedan is expected to be launched mid-June. The German car-maker began production of the Ameo from May 25. Unveiled at the Auto Expo 2016 in February, the Ameo will be sold with petrol and diesel mills. The 1.2-litre three-cylinder MPI petrol engine will churn out 74bhp of power and 110Nm of peak torque, while the 1.5-litre four-cylinder TDI diesel engine will develop 89bhp of power and 230Nm of torque. The diesel engine will come mated to a five-speed manual gearbox and seven-speed DSG transmission, while the petrol engine will be mated to five-speed manual transmission. The Ameo will take on the likes of Maruti Suzuki Swift, Tata Zest, Ford Figo Aspire and Honda Amaze. The VW car is expected to come in the range of Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 8 lakh.
Mercedes-Benz GLC
Mercedes-Benz will pull the wraps off its new GLC SUV in India on June 2. The GLC is a C-Class sedan and will go up against BMW X3 and Audi Q5 in India. Under the hood, the GLC is expected to get a 2.1-litre four-cylinder diesel engine with a nine-speed 9G-tronic automatic transmission and a 4MATIC all-wheel drive system. As for features, the SUV is expected to come with a COMAND infotainment system, leather upholstery and a three-spoke steering wheel. The new Mercedes-Benz SUV is expected to cost in the range of Rs. 35 lakh to Rs. 45 lakh.
Tata Hexa
The copiously-reworked Aria MPV, which is now called the Hexa, is expected in the market by the end of June. Expected to be priced between Rs. 10 lakh and Rs. 15 lakh, Tata Hexa will be powered by 2.2 litre four-cylinder VARICOR diesel engine, which is tuned to generate 154bhp of power at 4,000rpm and 400Nm of torque at 1,700 to 2,700rpm. The engine comes mated to either six-speed automatic transmission or six-speed manual transmission. The front of the MPV features a dual hexagonal-patterned front grille with chrome accents. The smoked projector headlamps, fog lamps and daytime running lamps add a premium touch at the front. The Hexa comes with wraparound LED tail lamps, door claddings, dual-coloured wheel arches, integrated spoiler and roof rails.
Renault Kwid 1.0-litre or AMT
French car-maker Renault will launch either a 1,000cc-engine-powered or an AMT-transmission-equipped Kwid variant in June. The Kwid 1.0-litre is identical to the currently selling 800cc engine version in terms of design. The 1,000cc petrol unit is expected to develop over 65bhp mated to five-speed manual transmission. The 1.0-litre model is also expected to come with better safety features and slight increase in price. The AMT transmission will be the same unit employed in the Maruti Suzuki AMT car manufactured by Fiat-owned Magneti Marelli.
Maruti Suzuki Swift limited edition
Maruti Suzuki, India's largest car-maker by volume, will launch a limited-edition version of the Swift hatchback soon. The company showcased a special Swift model draped in red at the Auto Expo 2016. In all probability, this could be the upcoming limited edition of the Swift. It featured racing stripes in on the bonnet and rear doors. It was showcased with white rear view mirror covers and black wheel caps. Sportiness for the special Swift was accentuated with side skirts and the interior was spotted with seats in dual-tone finish. Under the hood, the limited-edition Swift will continue with 1.2-litre K-Series petrol and 1.3-litre DDiS diesel mills.
Triumph Thruxton R
British motorcycle manufacture Triumph plans to launch the third model in its new Bonneville range — the Thruxton R — in India on June 3. The Thruxton R comes with sporting ergonomics, clip-on bars, fully adjustable suspension and a 17-inch front wheel. It has 1,200cc parallel-twin motors that churn out 96bhp of power at 6,750rpm and peak torque of 111Nm at 4,950rpm. The motorcycle will be offered in three colours — diablo red, silver ice and matte black. Other features include twin floating Brembo discs, Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa tyres and single bullet seat. Triumph is expected to price the new Thruxton R at about Rs. 10 lakh.
