From Thar Armada to New Dzire - List of Upcoming Cars Before Diwali

It is that time of the year when we as customers seeking to buy a new car or SUV put our car buying decisions on hold for the most lucrative deal. Whether it is the Mahindra Thar Armada five-door or the Tata Curvv EV, the second half to 2024 will witness a range of cars with varying body types and specifiactions. We have compiled a list of cars launching before Diwali that you can look forward to buying.

Mahindra Thar 5-Door 

One of the most talked about SUVs to date, the Thar will now be getting its five-door version. With the three-door doing so well in comparison to its fiercest rival the Maruti Suzuki Jimny, we anticipate the Thar five-door to carry on with the success story. Reportedly, it is expected to be named Armada. It will be based on the Scorpion N’s architecture and the suspension setup will also be borrowed. 

It is expected to get segment-first features such as a panoramic sunroof, Level 2 ADAS Tech, a larger touchscreen infotainment system and a digital MID. The petrol and diesel engine lineup is going to be in a similar state of tune with the Scorpio N. We expect the homegrown brand to price it from Rs. 16 lakh to Rs. 20 lakh and launch on August 15. 

MG Cloud EV

Adding another electric vehicle to its electric portfolio after the Comet and ZS EV, MG will launch an electric MPV which will be called the Cloud. This comes after MG joined hands with the JSW Group in India. Based on the Wuling Cloud EV, it comes with two battery packs aboard - a 37.9 kWh cell and a 50.6 kWh unit, corresponding to a claimed range of 360 kilometres and 460 kilometres, respectively, on a full charge. 

We expect the MG Cloud EV to come with a larger 50.6kWh battery pack mated to a single electric motor. It is said to be able to deliver a maximum range of 500 kilometres on a single charge.The vehicle could be introduced by September this year. Its pricing should be in the range of Rs. 15 to Rs. 20 lakh. When launched it would compete against the likes of the BYD E6.

New Maruti Suzuki Dzire 

The new Maruti Suzuki Dzire has been pending for a while now. Unlike the current generation, the upcoming sub-compact sedan is expected to get more features than the recently introduced Swift. Upfront, it will be provided with a completely different design in comparison to the hatchback. What you will get are bigger headlamps with multibeam LEDs and a redesigned bumper that will incorporate a differently styled air intake. Its cabin will boost a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment unit with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support. 

Other features may include a semi-digital instrument console, automatic climate control, electrically adjustable ORVMs and power windows. About the powertrain, the upcoming vehicle will come fitted with a new 1.2-litre 3-cylinder NA petrol engine capable of producing a power output of 82 PS and 112 Nm of torque. It will be offered with a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard. Reports suggest it is slated for launch in August. The four-wheeler will also receive an AMT unit as well. It is expected to be priced from Rs. 7 lakh to Rs. 10 lakh (ex-showroom).

Alcazar Facelift

After the introduction of the new Hyundai Creta earlier this year, it will be the turn of the Alcazar facelift. Ahead of its expected launch in October 2024, the 3-row SUV has been spied several times on Indian roads. In comparison to the current model, the facelift will see an upgrade in exterior design. On the inside, it is expected to be loaded with more features than before. These would include a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment unit and a 10.25-inch instrument cluster, a panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control, and an 8-speaker Bose sound system. However, it will retain its powertrain options as the current model. These include a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine and a 1.5-litre diesel engine. Transmission duties will be handled by both manual and automatic gearboxes.

Tata Nexon iCNG

The long-awaited Tata Nexon CNG will finally go on sale in the country before the end of this financial year, most probably during Diwali. While it is reported that it will not get any cosmetic or cabin upgrades, the Nexon CNG will be the country's first CNG vehicle with a turbocharged petrol engine. Yes, it will be equipped with a 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine along with Tata's twin CNG cylinder technology. In terms of pricing, the Nexon CNG could be priced between Rs 10.50 lakh to Rs 18.50 lakh, ex-showroom. 

New Kia Carnival

One of the most awaited luxury MPVs, the Kia Carnival is expected to make a comeback by September this year. The vehicle was recently spied on Indian roads without camouflage, indicating the key design details of the India-spec model. The New Kia Carnival will have a more rugged and SUV-inspired exterior design and will be larger than its predecessor. Some of its interior highlights include a dual 12.3-inch screen setup, a wireless charger, front and rear dash cameras, an updated digital key, a rotary drive selector and ambient lighting. Under the hood, it will house a 2.2-litre diesel engine, producing 200 bhp of peak power. You can expect it to be priced at around Rs. 45 lakh.

Nissan X-Trail

Recently confirming its July launch, Nissan India again teased the X-Trail SUV highlighting key features. After being discontinued a decade back in India, the X-Trail will return to our showrooms as a CBU vehicle. Sitting on Nissan-Renault’s CMF-C modular platform, the SUV measures 4.7 metres in length and 2 metres in width. In the teaser, one could spot key design elements such as the iconic V-Motion grille, machine-cut alloy wheels, a split headlamp unit with DRLs above and L-shaped LED tail lights. 

According to multiple media reports, Nissan could equip the X-Trail with a 1.5-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine generating 201 bhp and 305 Nm of pull force. Transmission duties will be taken care of by a CVT gearbox. It may come equipped with an all-wheel drive system. The ex-showroom price range is estimated to be from Rs. 26 to Rs. 32 lakh. 

Citroen Basalt

In March 2024, the Citroen Basalt coupe SUV made its global appearance in its close-to-production concept. The Basalt SUV coupe will measure 4,300 mm in length. When launched, it will take on the likes of the Tata Curvv coupe. In terms of design, the Basalt will have a distinct sloping roofline. It will feature an aggressive front end,  taillamps, squared-off wheel arches, a lifted tailgate section, and flip door handles.

As for the engine, it will be equipped with a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol motor. This unit is said to produce a maximum power of 109 bhp with 205 Nm of peak torque, which is quite similar to the performance of the C3 Aircross SUV. Moreover, the new coupe SUV will be offered with both manual and automatic transmissions. Basalt is expected to have a starting price of Rs. 11 lakh and may be launched in October.

Also read - Mahindra Thar 5-Door Vs 3-Door: What To Expect?
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