The car industry may have slowed down a bit in the recent times, but this has not swayed the confidence of manufacturers in the Indian customers. Manufactures have lined up quite a few launches for this year and the upcoming year as well. Part reason for this is also the stricter safety and emission norms that will kick in by the next year, and the makers will have to update their models accordingly. Hatchbacks will be on the makers’ radar as some are also eyeing entry in the Indian auto market -- Kia and Citroen among the few. However, no matter what the reasons for these new launches are, the Indian customer sure is in for some good time as the new launches bring in more choices for them. So, let’s take a look at all the hatchbacks that the makers have lined up for launch in India in the next one year.
Renault Kwid Facelift
Launch by: End 2019
French maker’s Kwid was a success when it was launched in India, and has been a steady seller since. However, the recent times have seen its rivals catch up to the uniquely styled hatch and it has started seeing a decline in sales numbers. Therefore, the company has been working on updating the car since a year. The company will focus on making the car safer, sprucing up the interiors, and giving the features a revision. This along with the rumors of car seeing no increase in price will make it a VFM offering.
Updated Maruti Suzuki Alto
Launch by: End 2019
Maruti presented their Future S concept at the auto Expo 2018, and the new updated version of Alto is supposed to be based on the same. In order to cater to the market’s demand, the new Alto will come with a SUV like design and will be built on the HEARTECT platform. Maruti could fit the Alto with the 1.0-litre K-Series mill. The SUV inspired Alto will rival Renault Kwid and Datsun Redi-Go after its launch.
Updated Hyundai Grand i10
Launch by: Q4 2019
Hyundai Grand i10 was getting a bit long in the tooth, and rivals such as Maruti Swift have already been updated. So, it was only so long before the South Korean maker updated its mid-size hatch in India. Not just the design but the platform of the new Grand i10 will also be overhauled. The regular features will also be given an update and the interiors may be tweaked to give the car a more upmarket feel. The engine details have not been revealed so far but it is likely to remain unchanged and will surely follow the upcoming emission norms of India.
Toyota Baleno
Launch by: Q3 2019
As is common news by this point, India’s largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki and one of the world’s largest carmaker’s Indian division Toyota Kirloskar Motors joined hands to share car platform and technology with each other to expand their model line-up in India. While a lot of other models will see cross-badging between the two manufacturers, one noticeable car will be the Toyota badged version of Baleno. In the first year, Toyota manufacture 25,000 units of Baleno under its badge. Toyota will make suitable changes in the premium hatchback to lend its flavor to the car. Not just design changes, the Japanese maker will also position the car as a more premium option as compared to the Maruti Baleno.
Tata Altroz
Launch by: Q4 2019
After a long series of leaks and guessing games of renders, Tata Motors finally took the wraps off its Altroz premium hatchback at the Geneva Motor Show. Based on the IMPACT 2.0 design this new entrant in the premium hatchback segment has long headlamps that flank the sleek grille on both the sides. Altroz’s interiors are properly equipped and at the center of it sits an infotainment system in a floating style. As per the company, this unit will support Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The engine details of Altroz have not been disclosed by Tata, but it may carry the same petrol unit that is being offered with Tiago. On the other hand, diesel mill could be the same one that one finds on Nexon. Looking at the rivals in the segment Tata will probably offer manual as well as automatic gearboxes on Altroz. Altroz has its task cut out as the new hatchback will lock horns with established models such as Maruti Suzuki Baleno and Hyundai Elite i20.
Tata Altroz EV
Launch by: 2020
While Tata Motors unveiled their Altroz EV in Geneva, no specifications of the new vehicle were disclosed. What is apparent so far is that Altroz EV will be a premium product and will be based on the same Alfa Arc platform that the fossil fuel Altroz is based on. Tata promised a long range and a powerful battery for the same on Altroz EV and it may be launched in India sometime in 2020.
Tata Tiago EV
Launch by: May 2019
Not just the Altroz EV, Tata Motors is also developing an electric version of Tiago hatchback since a long-long time. There are reports that the Tiago EV will come equipped with a 85kW electric motor rated to produce nearly 115 PS of power. With a range of nearly 140 km this will be one of the most economical electric cars in India upon launch and may lock horns with upcoming Maruti Suzuki WagonR Electric Version. As far as the prices are concerned the upcoming subsidies by the government for electric cars will see to it that the prices remain affordable.
Renault Kwid EV
Expected Launch by: 2021
The shift to electric cars is becoming a priority by the day and several makers are lining up their EV models for the same. Renault has said that their first electric car in India will be the new electric version of Kwid. The company has not revealed any details of the powertrain so far but it can come with a 20 km/charge range. The car is expected to get design tweaks befitting an electric car. The French maker has already stated that the new Kwid electric will be initially built for China and will be brought to India based on the public demand.