Upcoming cars in 2020
2020 is here and it brings to us a slew of new cars. Here are some that team #evoIndia is looking forward to:
Tata Nexon EV
The fully electric Nexon EV made its global debut a short while ago. Although, it is not their first electric offering (that was the Tigor EV) the Nexon EV is the first of new-generation EVs, which will use Tata’s new Ziptron electric powertrain. The Nexon EV uses a 30.2 kWh battery with a range of over 300 km. Aided by 245 Nm of peak torque, the NExon EV clocks triple digit speeds in 9.9 seconds.
Tata Altroz
Heralding Tata’s foray into the premium hatchback space, the Altroz has a fight on its hands. There will be a 1.2-litre petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel engine on offer and both engine options will get a 5-speed manual gearbox. The cabin also gets a 7-inch TFT colour display with media & navigation from Harman. The system will also come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, video playback and more. Other features include - fast charging, electric tailgate, cruise control, rain-sensing wiper, auto headlamps and more. In terms of safety features, the car will come with dual airbags, seatbelt reminder, speed sensing auto door lock, engine immobiliser, ISOFIX child seat mounts, cornering fog lamps.
Hyundai Aura
The Hyundai Aura will launch in January 2020 and will replace the Hyundai Xcent in the company's portfolio. It borrows styling cues from the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios, which was launched earlier in 2019. Hyundai will offer two petrol motors and one diesel engine. The 1.2-litre petrol will pump out 82 bhp and 114 Nm. Also available will be another, more powerful petrol engine unit, which will be a 1-litre turbo-petrol(same unit as on the Venue) that churns out 99 bhp and 172 Nm. A 1.2-litre diesel will be available too with 74 bhp and 190 Nm of peak torque on tap.
New-Generation Hyundai Creta
The second generation of the Hyundai Creta is barely a month away and is all set to be unveiled at the 2020 Auto Expo. It will have the same powertrains as sister concern Kia’s Seltos. So - a 1.5-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel, as well as the 140 bhp, 1.4-litre turbo GDI petrol with an optional 7-Speed DCT (dual clutch transmission) should be available. The diesel is expected to arrive with an option of a 6-Speed torque convertor automatic too. The new-generation Creta is expected to follow the design language of the Venue and will be slightly bigger than the current gen model as well.
Tata Gravitas
Previewed as the Buzzard concept, the Gravitas is slated to be launched in February 2020. The new SUV will essentially be the 7-seater version of the Tata Harrier with a host of cosmetic and design. It is based on the same OMEGA (Optimal Modular Efficient Global Advanced) architecture, derived from Land Rover's legendary D8 platform, which currently underpins the Tata Harrier. The Gravitas will be powered the same Fiat-sourced 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder diesel engine that powers the Harrier, although a upward revision in power and torque figures is expected.
New-Gen Mahindra XUV500
Mahindra’s popular XUV500 is expected to be launched sometime in the middle of 2020. We believe the new XUV500 will receive significant updates to the design as well as features to make it stand out in a crowded market. It is expected to be based on an all-new platform as well.
MG ZS Electric SUV
After the success of the Hector, MG is all set to launch the ZS EV in India this month. It gets a 44.5 kWh battery pack that promises a range of 340 km on a single charge. The lithium-ion unit can be charged up to 80 per cent in 40 minutes with a 50 kW DC charger. The motor can develop 141bhp and 353Nm of peak torque allowing it to do a 0-100 kmph sprint in just 8 seconds.
Skoda Karoq
Skoda and Volkswagen are focusing heavily on SUVs and kickstarting their onslaught will be the Skoda Karoq, which will be launched in April 2020. It will be initially brought to India as a Completely Built Unit (CBU) and will get just a petrol unit upon launch which could be either the 1-litre TSI unit with 113 bhp and 175 Nm of peak torque or a 1.5-litre TSI with 148 bhp and 250 Nm of peak torque.
New-Generation Land Rover Defender
The all-new Land Rover Defender has taken the automotive world by storm. The Defender will arrive - first as the 110 variant. The shorter Defender 90 will follow, six months later and will be in time for New Year’s 2021. The car is expected to arrive with just the 2-litre, 4-cylinder, 296bhp Ingenium petrol engine. An auto box and AWD will be standard.
Audi Q8
The Audi Q8, the brand’s flagship SUV, will be launched in India on 15th January, 2020. In keeping with Audi India’s strategy of introducing only petrol-powered models next year, the Q8 will be available with just a petrol engine. We expect it to be powered by a 3.0-litre TFSI petrol engine likely mated to an eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission, along with Audi's quattro AWD system.
New-Generation Mercedes-Benz GLS
The new gen Mercedes-Benz GLS that made its debut at the 2019 New York Auto Show is expected to make its way to India late next year. In addition to design changes, the new GLS also comes with latest generation driving assistance systems. The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS will also be available in a six-seater variant with two captain seats in the second row. Under the hood, the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS offers six and eight-cylinder petrol engines and a six-cylinder in-line diesel engine.
Citroen C5
The French automaker is all set to enter India in the next few months with the C5 Aircross. It will slot into the compact SUV segment and will take on the likes of the Kia Seltos at the lower end and the Jeep Compass at the higher end of the price bracket. Citroen is expected to offer the C5 with a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine. The diesel engine option is likely to be a 2.0-litre unit. Both engines will be mated to a 6-speed manual with the likely option of an 8-speed automatic transmission as well.
Kia Carnival
After the huge success that the Seltos has been, Kia is all set to continue the onslaught with the Carnival. The MPV will be positioned above the likes of the Toyota Innova Crysta and is expected to be a much more premium offering. The Carnival for India will get a 2.2-litre, four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that will produce 200bhp at 3,800rpm and 440Nm of torque at 1,750-2,750rpm and will come mated to an 8-speed automatic.
