India’s obsession with SUVs seems to be a never ending affair. Sports-utility vehicles are trending across different segments in the Indian car market, making it nighimpossible for car manufacturers to ignore this category of vehicles. As a consequence, the onslaught of new SUVs is inevitably going to continue through 2016 as well. Let’s take a look at some of the high-riding vehicles that are likely to be launched this year.
Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza:
Maruti Suzuki, the country’s largest car maker, will unveil its first-ever compact-SUV – Vitara Brezza - at 2016 Delhi Auto Expo in February. The Vitara Brezza is a brand-new compact-SUV that will measure under 4 meters in length. The Brezza will be powered by the company’s proven 1.3-litre MultiJet turbo diesel engine as well as the 1.2-litre K-Series petrol engine. It may also get the more powerful 1.4-litre petrol engine from the Ciaz/Ertiga. The Vitara Brezza is expected to be priced between Rs 7 lakh and Rs 10 lakh.
Maruti Suzuki Vitara
After launching the Vitara Brezza compact-SUV, Maruti Suzuki is expected to have another go in the compact-SUV space, albeit in the form of a more premium and more spacious package. The company is speculated to launch the all-new Vitara (currently available in European markets) in the country sometime this year. Expected to be sold through the premium Nexa dealerships, the Vitara will be powered by the same 1.6-litre diesel engine as offered in the S-Cross. The 1.6-litre DDiS 320 engine develops 118bhp and 320Nm, and will come mated to a 6-speed gearbox. The Maruti Suzuki Vitara will offer plenty of cabin space, especially to rear seat passengers. It will also be fully loaded with all comfort and safety features. Expect a price tag in the range of 12 lakh to Rs 14 lakh on the vehicle.
Hyundai Tucson
The Hyundai Tucson is set for a comeback in the country, albeit in an entirely new avatar. The new Tucson follows the company’s fluidic design theme. Trademark Hyundai SUV design elements such as flared wheel-arches with clearly defined lines and sleek black plastic cladding etc., look pleasantly appealing. Up front, the Tucson gets sleek head lamps, a big hexagonal grille and turbine fin shaped dual tone alloy wheels that give it a contemporary and chic urban appearance. Inside, the cabin will be similar to other Hyundai cars, meaning it will be loaded to gills with features and will have Hyundai’s high levels of fit and finish. The India spec model of the SUV is expected to get a 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine developing 182bhp of power, which will be mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox.
Toyota Fortuner
The current-gen Toyota Fortuner is unarguably the best-selling vehicle in its segment in India. Toyota is set to raise its game year though as it will be launching the all-new Fortuner here. The new model might have lost its butch looks but Toyota claims it’s been refined in every way over its predecessor. Underpinned by the company’s new TNGA platform, the Fortuner will be significantly lighter, resulting in better ride quality and handling. Engines available on the new Fortuner are entirely new, too. Two diesel engines will be offered on the new model - the entry level variant will have a 148bhp producing 2.4-litre engine in a 2-wheel drive configurations with either a 6-speed manual or an automatic transmission. The top model will come powered by a 2.8-litre engine with 174bhp, offering two-wheel and four-wheel drive configurations. Dimension wise, the new Fortuner is bigger than the outgoing model, meaning the interior space will increase substantially. Interiors have been completely revamped as well.
Jaguar F-Pace
Traditionally, at Jaguar-Land Rover group, the job of making SUVs is considered to be of Land Rover while Jaguar focusses mainly on luxury sedans and sportcars. Jaguar, however, has changed that notion as it recently unveiled the company’s first ever F-Pace crossover. Built on Jaguar’s all new Lightweight Aluminum Architecture, the F-Pace fuses the utility of a crossover with the drive dynamics of a sportscar, claims Jaguar. The F-Pace is available in three power trims, globally, including a 2.0-litre diesel engine that produces 178bhp and 430 Nm of torque, a 3-litre V6 diesel unit that delivers 296bhp and 700Nm of torque, and finally a supercharged petrol version that churns out 375 bhp. The supercharged version comes paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission that sends to all four wheels. In this guise, the crossover can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 5.1 seconds!
Honda BR-V
The compact-SUV segment has seen tremendous growth in recent years. As a result, every manufacturer worth its salt is having a go at it. Honda will be joining the party, too, with the launch of the BR-V in 2016. The Japanese automaker will showcase the car at the auto expo and is expected to reveal more details such as launch date, engine specifications etc., at the event. As of the now, the BR-V is expected to come with the company’s current set of engines- 1.5-litrei-VTEC petrol and 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel. The petrol version is likely to be made available in both CVT automatic and 6-speed manual transmission whereas the diesel is expected to come only with a manual gearbox. The BR-V is a 4.4-metre long vehicle and has three seating rows – one of its key USPs.
We have driven the a prototype of the BR-V. Read full review here - Honda BR-V Review: First Drive
Mercedes-Benz GLS
Mercedes-Benz has renamed its entire range of vehicles recently. This means the company’s largest SUV will be called the GLS, and not GL, in its next iteration. The GLS has been revealed in global markets and will reach our shores this year. New name aside, the GLS gets a revised front end with a new bumper, new double slat hollow grille and new head lamps with daytime running lights. At the back, there is a new bumper as well and new LED tail lamps. Engine options include a 3.0-litre turbo diesel V6 unit, a 3-litre direct injection Biturbo V6 petrol engine, a 4.6-litre V8 Biturbo petrol engine and the 5.5-litre Biturbo V8 petrol engine in the flagship GLS 63 AMG. All engines come paired to a 9-speed 9G-Tronic automatic transmission as standard. The GLS 63 AMG will have a low ratio box gearbox and locking center differential as optional extra.
Mercedes-Benz GLC
Inspired by the C-Class, the GLC SUV will be launched in the country sometime in 2016. The GLC shares a number of components with the fourth-generation C-Class as it’s based on the same Modular Rear Architecture (MRA) platform. The GLC is strictly a five-seater with a luxurious cabin like the C-Class. It has a cascading style dashboard featuring an infotainment system with a touch pad controller and classy wood trim on the center console. The GLC will come in two engine options - a 2,143cc diesel engine anda 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine. Both the engines will be mated to a new nine-speed automatic transmission.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
American SUV icon Jeep will be finally entering the Indian car market after being in headlines for over two years. The company will be bringing in its flagship Grand Cherokee model to our market first. The Grand Cherokee will compete against rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class and Audi Q7. The Grand Cherokee is the company’s full-size SUV that will come powered by a 3.0-litre V6 turbocharged diesel engine developing 240bhp and 598Nm. The engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox and power will be sent to all four wheels. Multiple driving modes are available on the vehicle to make it feel at home whether you take it off the road or cruise on finely laid-out sections of tarmac.
Jeep Wrangler
The Jeep Wrangler is a rugged machine that will make its debut at the Auto Expo in February 2016. The Wrangler will be powered by a 197bhp producing 2.8-litre turbo diesel that will come mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission. It’s a purpose built off-road machine that is equipped with the legendary Command Trac and Rock-Trac systems, which ensure it can take on any challenging driving condition in the world. The Wrangler gets 18-inch alloy wheels and UConnect System, which lets you control the infotainment system and your smart phone via voice command, among many other features.
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