Cars to look forward to in 2017-18

We are only in the middle of the year and there has already been a fair share of high-profile launches. International automakers have also launched a few cars in India, like the much-awaited Audi diesel A4, the Jaguar diesel XE and the all-new Mercedes E-class.

Then there are cars like Tata’s new Hexa crossover and Tigor compact sedan to Maruti’s all-new Ignis, Dzire and its first hot hatchback, the Baleno RS.

The second half of the year is still ahead of us and there are many more launches yet to come. From BMW's all-New 5-Series to Tata's compact SUV, Nexon. Ford is set to facelift its EcoSport towards the end of the year as well.

BMW 5-series (June 29)
The new 5-series will be available with a choice one petrol and two diesel engines. The car will offer two diesel engines - a 190hp, 2.0-litre, badged the 520d and a more powerful 256hp, 3.0-litre in-line, six-cylinder diesel unit, badged the 530d. The 530 will most likely be sold only in M sport form. The petrol unit will be a 252hp, 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, badged the 530i. Equipment such as gesture control, an iDrive system, adaptive dampers and remote parking functions will be available in select variants. The all-new BMW 5-series will launch in India by the end of June.

Mitsubishi Outlander
The car comes equipped with a 169hp, 2.4-litre petrol engine paired with a CVT gearbox and Mitsubishi's Super All-Wheel Control, four-wheel-drive system. Mitsubishi is set to expand its model line-up in the country with the launch of the new Outlander. Set to be launched in the coming months, the Outlander will be available as a petrol-only model and will be imported into India as a CBU.

Skoda Octavia facelift (July)
The sedan is expected to carry forward the existing engines, with an updated equipment list that includes a larger touchscreen infotainment system, driver fatigue monitoring system and hands-free parking. Skoda will launch this car in the coming months. The company is also looking to launch Skoda Octavia vRS later this year in India.

Maruti S-cross facelift
The facelifted S-cross is expected to be launched around the festive season this year. This car could feature a new petrol motor, the cabin will get revised styling updates and the existing set of diesel engines could carry forward with the facelift.

New Maruti Swift
Maruti is currently testing the Swift’s third-gen model and is aiming to launch it in 2018. The model will make its India debut at the Auto Expo 2018. The car for India is expected to carry forward the current crop of 1.2-litre and 1.3-litre petrol and diesel engines. The new Swift is expected to feature a new interior as well.

Mahindra Scorpio facelift
Mahindra is set to launch its refreshed SUV soon. There are no details yet about the changes in the cabin but the new model will get some mechanical updates with the 2.2-litre diesel engine seeing a power bump from 120hp to 140hp. Most of the styling changes will happen upfront and at the rear. The car could feature a revised equipment list as well.

Updated Mahindra XUV500
The car will receive a mild facelift along with an updated diesel engine. The XUV500's 2.2-litre diesel unit will get a bump in power from 140hp to 170hp. Apart from the engine, there will be minor tweaks to styling inside and out.

Volvo V90 Cross Country
The crossover features rugged design cues such as bumpers with skid plates, a raised ride height and body cladding all round. The engine will come paired to an eight-speed automatic gearbox with all-wheel drive as standard and is expected to use the 2.0-litre diesel engine from the X90 & S90 series but with an output of 235hp, as against 225hp from the X90 and 190hp from S90.

Volkswagen Passat (July)
The car will be launched in India this year in standard and hybrid form. Offered with VW's new EA288 177hp, 2.0 litre TDI diesel engine, paired to an automatic gearbox, the model is expected to be assembled at VW’s Aurangabad facility. The standard car will be readily available but the plugin Passat GTE is aimed at catering to the rising interest in alternatively fuelled cars in the country and only expected to be sold in limited numbers.

Hyundai Verna (August)
The car will, in true Hyundai fashion, be well equipped, with top variants getting auto climate control, key-less entry and go, a centrally-located touchscreen infotainment system with mobile phone connectivity, and reverse camera and sensors. Spy pictures have also revealed that the car could likely be offered with rear disc brakes, making it the only model in the segment to do so. The car is expected to carry forward the existing set of 1.4 and 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engines, with Hyundai working on introducing mild-hybrid technology later. Hyundai is set to bring an all-new Verna in August this year.

New Audi A5
The new-gen model will offer three styles to choose from. For the first time, India will get the Cabriolet version. Internationally, petrol engines offered with the A5 range from an entry-level 190hp, 2.0-litre to a more potent 252hp, 2.0-litre unit. The diesel model is available with a 190hp, 2.0-litre unit or the larger 3.0-litre, six-cylinder diesel in two outputs – 218hp and 272hp. Although not confirmed, for India, the 252hp petrol seems to be the frontrunner and the 190hp diesel could be under consideration.

Ford EcoSport facelift (Late 2017)
Expected to be launched near the festive season, the cosmetic changes to the EcoSport include a new front fascia and a heavily revised cabin. The international model doesn’t feature the tailgate-mounted spare wheel the Indian car does. Inside, there is a new dashboard that now houses a large centrally-located touchscreen infotainment system. For India, the facelifted model will carry forward the old design elements and engines. The model offers all-wheel drive in international markets, but the feature is unlikely to be offered in India.

Tata Nexon (Late 2017)
Based on the same platform as the Zest and the Bolt, the Nexon follows the company’s new Impact design language and has borrowed styling cues from JLR’s Range Rover Evoque. Tata showcased a near-production version of the Nexon compact SUV at the Auto Expo 2016.  Because of its long wheelbase and wide cabin, the SUV gets a cab forward stance and a spacious interior. The SUV will mark the debut of Tata’s all-new 1.5-litre diesel engine, and a turbocharged variant of the Revotron motor seen in the Tiago.

Hyundai i20 facelift
The new hatchback is set to follow Hyundai's latest design language, with a more prominent grille up front and changes to the rear. Testing on Indian roads began ahead of its possible launch sometime early next year, the existing engines are expected to be carried forward, with a new 1.0-litre turbo-petrol also likely to join the line-up.

Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster
Powered by a 469hp, 4.0-litre, twin-turbo V8 engine Mercedes-AMG's flagship sports car is set to be joined by a new drop-top Roadster derivative. Alongside the AMG GT, Mercedes is set to update the GT S Coupe as well, replacing the current 503hp unit, with a more powerful 515hp V8.