Starting 2020 with a bang: Upcoming cars in January
- From luxury SUVs to premium sedans and EVs, 2020 promises to be an exciting year and January, in particular, could set the tone.
While 2019 was a year that largely troubled the Indian auto industry - as well as the global auto market - incessantly, 2020 may see the road finally resetting itself and providing much-needed respite. While the common consensus among industry experts and most top executives of car manufacturers is that the first three months of 2020 would be a wait and watch phase, several companies are putting pedal to the metal and gearing up to drive in new products.
From luxury SUVs to premium sedans and EVs, 2020 promises to be an exciting year and January, in particular, could set the tone. Here are some unveiling, launches and insights for the month.
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Audi Q8:
The eagerly-awaited Q8 was previously scheduled for a late 2019 launch but this had to be pushed back by the German auto giant for numerous reasons. The company is now gearing up for a January 15 launch and expects to make quite the bang with the vehicle.
The Q8 will be a five-seater and Audi says it would be a synthesis of a practical car and a large SUV.
(Read more about the Audi Q8 here)
Hyundai Aura:
Hyundai unveiled the Aura in December and will launch the sub-four meter sedan in the country on January 21.
Based on the company's new design language 'Sensuous Sportiness', the Aura gets twin boomerang DRLs with a satin front grille, projector head lights and fog lamps. From the side, the Aura has a sleek coupe-like visual appeal with large wheel arches and R15 diamond-cut alloys. On the rear, the car has been given a deliberate wide-stand appeal and features LED tail lamps, chrome strip and glossy black wrap around.
It will take on Dzire from Maruti Suzuki and Honda's Amaze.
(Read more about Hyundai Aura here)
Tata Altroz:
Tata Motors has bet massively on the Altroz hatchback to create a big bang in its segment. It is the company's bold statement that it can offer a strong drive in an attractive package to people who otherwise have had to choose between Maruti Suzuki Baleno and Hyundai's Elite i20.
The car offered in two engine options - a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine (84 hp and 114 Nm) and a 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel motor (89 hp and 200 Nm - peak power and torque).
(Read more about Tata Altroz here)
MG Hector (Six-seater variant)
Hector was the first product from Morris Garage in India and it managed to create quite a ripple. Touted as India's first internet car, the Hector continues to have a waiting period lasting several weeks.
The butch-looking SUV from MG is a solid looker and has the gadgetry to keep bring out the nerd in most people. And now, more people can possibly enjoy all of that together with the company reportedly planning to showcase the six-seater version of the car. While reports suggest that it could be called the MG Hector Plus, there has been no confirmation. It is likely, however, that the six-seater gets subtle design changes on the outside to distinguish it from the Hector launched in 2019.
Tata Nexon EV
Nexon has been a success story for Tata Motors in the compact SUV segment and with a slow but sure push towards electric mobility in India, the company showcased the EV version of the car in December.
The Nexon EV will be launched in January and will get certain design changes to give it a visual alteration. At its heart, the Nexon EV gets a 30.2kWh lithium-ion battery pack - with IP67 rating for water - which has peak power figures of 129 hp and torque of 245Nm. Tata claims that the Nexon EV propels from stationery to 100 kmph in 9.9 seconds.
(Read more about Tata Nexon EV here)
MG ZS EV
The ZS EV from Morris Garage is a statement of intent from a company that made its India debut in 2019. It will take on Hyundai's Kona in a close combat for dominance in the premium EV space.
(Read our first drive review of MG ZS EV here)
The car will be officially launched in January.
Check out Upcoming Cars in India 2024, Best SUVs in India.