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| Upcoming Cars in India: New Hatchbacks Under Rs. 4 Lakh |
The FY 2014-15 was an year of revival for the Indian four-wheeler industry after 2013-14 proved to be the worst year of the past decade. By the end of 2014, car sales started showing improvement and after a moderate financial year, carmakers are now readying new products for this year. We'll see several all-new cars foraying into different segments of India's automobile industry in 2015. So we thought we'll tell you about the 5 cars that will enter the most competitive segment of the industry - budget hatchback.
1. Renault XBA 800cc Small Hatchback
Renault India will launch multiple all-new products in the next 18 months, including a compact MPV, an entry-level hatchback, and a sub-compact SUV. While the Lodgy will arrive here by early FY15, the small hatchback will come in the second-half of 2015. For your information, the Nissan-Renault alliance is currently working on a new 800cc, 3-cylinder petrol engine to power their upcoming small cars. The entry-level hatchback, code-named XBA, will be based on the CMF-A platform - which too has been jointly developed by Renault and Nissan. Expected to be highly fuel-efficient, Renault's small hatch will rival Maruti Suzuki Alto 800, Hyundai Eon and Datsun Go.
Expected Launch: Second-half of 2015
Expected Price: Rs. 3 lakh
2. Datsun redi-GO-Inspired Hatchback
Though Nissan's low-cost car brand, Datsun, already has a budget hatchback, called the 'GO', the company is now working on an even cheaper hatchback to take on the Maruti Alto 800. The redi-GO-inspired hatchback will be built upon the CMF-A platform - the one that will also underpin the Renault XBA small car. The engine will also be same as the one for the Renault's small car i.e. the 800cc, 3-cylinder petrol unit. Since the company currently doesn't have a small diesel engine, the small hatch might be launched with only petrol and LPG options.
Expected Launch: Early 2016
Expected Price: Rs. 2.50 lakh
Also Read: 10 Cars That You Should Wait For in 2015
3. Tata Nano Twist AMT
Showcased at the 2014 Delhi Auto Expo, the Nano AMT (automated manual transmission) will be the first product that the company will launch in this financial year. The vehicle is already on test in India, and will be developed at Tata's Sanand plant - where the regular Nano is also manufactured. The Nano Twist AMT will feature the same 624cc MPFI naturally-aspirated twin-cylinder engine that powers the regular Nano, albeit with a 5-speed AMT. Besides AMT, this model will also feature new bumpers, fog-lamps, and different head-lamps. The cabin, however, is likely to remain unchanged.
Expected Launch: Mid-2015
Expected Price: Rs. 2.50 lakh
4. Tata Kite Hatchback
Tata Motors is working on a new hatchback, codenamed Kite, to replace the ageing Indica eV2. Though there is no clarity on what engine options the small hatch will come equipped with, Tata Motors has the option to utilise the 1.2-litre petrol and the 1.4-litre diesel units. Both these engine also power the Indica. Since the company has already started testing the vehicle in India, expect it to be rolled out sometime in the first half of 2015.
Expected Launch: Second half of 2015
Expected Price: Rs. 3 lakh - Rs. 3.50 lakh
5. Tata Pelican 800
Besides the Kite siblings - a hatchback and sub-compact sedan - the homegrown automaker is working on yet another affordable hatchback, codenamed Pelican, to take on the likes of Maruti Alto K10, Hyundai Eon, and others in the segment. Though the Pelican will be based on the Nano, it will be a slightly more up-market product with a bigger engine. The company will position it between the Nano and the Kite hatchback. If reports are to be believed, the company is working on a 1000cc petrol engine and a 800cc diesel motor that might power several entry-level Tata cars, including the Pelican.
Expected Launch: End of 2015
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