New Cars for 2015: Sedans

Hyundai Elantra Facelift

Estimated Time of launch: Mid 2015

Estimated price: Rs 12-18 lakh

The Hyundai Elantra has been around in the market for a while now and with that in mind Hyundai is now readying a facelifted version of the car. With a heavily camouflaged car doing its rounds, it is clear that Hyundai is getting set to refresh its design in sync with the other models in its line up.

It is expected to get a larger chrome hexagonal grille, which will be flanked by sleeker headlamps with Daytime Running Lights. The front and rear bumpers will be redesigned too. The taillights are likely to be LED too.

While there is no official confirmation about the engine options that it will come with, we expect the 2016 Hyundai Elantra to be offered with the same engines from the current model. But like Elite i20, we can expect a few tweaks in the suspension setup to give it better handling and driving dynamics.

Hyundai Verna facelift

Estimated Time of Launch: Early 2015

Estimated Price: Rs 8-12 lakh

A few months back Hyundai launched the facelifted Verna in Russia under the Solaris name. The 2015 Hyundai Verna gets a bolder twin-slat grille, larger headlamp housing with projector lights and a redesigned font bumper. The facelifted Verna will also get a redesigned bumper with new fog lamps that sport Daytime Running Lamps. Much of the rear end hasn’t been changed except for the addition of LED inserts to the tail-lamp cluster, redesigned reflectors and a black plastic lip. The alloy wheels seemed to be different too. The interiors though looked more or less the same.

Under the hood, the facelifted Verna will continue to sport the same 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre petrol and diesel units in India. Since the time Honda introduced the new City in January and Maruti brought in the Ciaz last month, Hyundai has been finding it difficult to stick to the sales it used to get prior to that. Bringing in the 2015 facelifted Verna will give Hyundai just the boost it needs to match its rivals like the recently launched Maruti Suzuki Ciaz and the Honda City.

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Toyota Vios

Expected Time of Launch: Early 2015

Expected Price: Rs 8-12 lakh

With the Toyots Corolla beign positioned as a more premium offering in India, the Japanese manufacturer has no presence in the C segment sedan category. With cars like the Maruti Ciaz, Honda City and the Hyundai Verna performing well, Toyota’s absence in the segment has affected their overall sales figures. Now though, Toyota will launch a new car, the Vios to take on the likes of the Honda City.

The Vios is based on the Corolla Furia concept car that we saw in 2013 and eventually went on to become the US-spec Corolla. The Vios shares its grille with the Indian Corolla but has a sportier front bumper with a large octagonal air intake. Toyota’s X design philosophy has made its way into the Vios too. The Vios also gets a set of flared wheel arches and a distinct shoulder line that gives it a distinct character. Around the back, the Vios gets a set of large tail lamps and a large chrome strip running across the length of the booth in a bid to boost the premium appeal of the car.

Expect the Vios to be offered with the 1.5-litre petrol engine as well as the 1.4-litre diesel engines found in the Etios and Liva. Gearbox options are expected to include the five-speed manual, seven-speed CVT box and the six-speed manual for the diesel.

Ford Figo Sedan

Expected Time of Launch: Mid 2015

Expected Price: Rs 4.5-7 lakhs

Ford has given the 2015 Figo a complete makeover in terms of design. Apart from a new and more modern look, the new Figo now looks in sync with the Ford family look that currently adorns the Ford EcoSport and the new Ford Fiesta.

Mechanically, the 2015 Ford Figo compact sedan is expected to come with engine options that include a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine or the 1.0-litre EcoBoost turbo petrol. A 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine will also do its duty in the 2015 Ford Figo hatchback. 

Reports suggest that Ford has already brought the next-generation 2015 Ford Figo compact sedan and hatchback into India for research and development purposes. The new Ford Figo sedan is expected to be rolled out from the new Ford plant in Sanand in Gujarat by mid-2015

New Chevrolet Cruze

Expected Time of Launch: Late 2015

Expected Price: Rs 12-16 lakh

With a fresh new design and a departure from its older bold and muscular shape, the Chevrolet Cruze’s second coming looks ready to take on the ultra competitive and global entry level luxury sedan market. The new Cruze uses styling cues from the larger Chevrolet Malibu sedan, which is available currently in the United States. The new Cruze also features a much more swept back design as opposed to the boxy sharp design that we are used to seeing on the current generation. The larger split grille is well complimented by the bowtie Chevrolet badge in the centre. The headlights do look like they were inspired by the likes of the Hyundai Verna or the Renault Fluence and feature a single barrel projector setup.

The Chevrolet Cruze in India is currently powered by a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder, turbocharged diesel engine making 165PS of peak power at 3800rpm and 380Nm or peak torque at 2000rpm. An upgraded version of this engine will continue to be provided on the Cruze with a few upgrades along with two new petrol engines. Chevrolet announced that the new Cruze would be launched in China with a lineup that will include a 1.5-litre; 4-cylinder rated at 115PS, and a more powerful 1.4-litre, 4-cylinder, turbocharged petrol mill making 150PS. We expect the latter, 1.5-litre mill to make it to India. Chevrolet has also confirmed that the car will be available with three different transmissions: a six-speed manual, six-speed automatic and a new seven-speed dual-clutch unit.

New Volkswagen Jetta

Expected Time of Launch: Mid 2015

Expected Price: Rs 14-20 lakh

The new Jetta resembles its elder sibling Volkswagen Passat and features a similar front grille with three distinct chrome slats. The Jetta facelift also gets Bi-Xenon headlamps with Volkswagen’s Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) and a set of the new L-shaped daytime running lights. It also gets a new bumper which incorporates a larger air intake, giving the 2015 Jetta a wider stance. At the back it gets a new rear bumper and a set of redesigned LED tail lights.

The engine options in India are said to be unchanged and will be offered with a 1.4-litre TSI petrol motor and a 2.0-litre TDI oil-burner. But, like in the international markets, the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta could churn out slightly more power from the diesel motor bumping the figure to 150PS. Expected to be priced between Rs 14-20 lakh (ex-showroom), the Volkswagen Jetta will compete with the likes of Skoda Octavia and Hyundai Elantra.

New Volkswagen Passat

Expected Time of Launch: Early 2015

Expected Price: Rs 20-30 lakh

The new Volkswagen Passat, codenamed the B8 (eight generation of the Passat) looks much sleeker and edgier than ever before and incorporates many styling features from the likes of the Volkswagen Scirocco and the XL1 hybrid. The new 2015 Volkswagen Passat will be based on the VW groups MQB platform just like the current generation Skoda Octavia. Although as long as the previous model in terms of overall length, the new Passat's wheelbase grew by a considerable 79mm, with both the front and rear wheels now positioned further out to the sides. This has resulted in significantly shorter overhangs. Not only has this improved the overall stance of the car but it has also considerably improved interior space.

The new 2015 Volkswagen Passat up to 85 kg lighter than its predecessor and will be available with a host of petrol and diesel engines. The 1.4-litre TSI engine generating 150PS will form the cheapest entry level variants Passat for customers who want a petrol powered version. There will also be the usual 1.8-litre TSI with 180PS. On the diesel side, a 2.0-liter TDI with variable outputs of 150PS or 190PS are expected. We expect the new 2015 Volkswagen Passat to be unveiled in India in early 2015 and to go up against the likes of the anticipated new Honda Accord and the recently launched Skoda Superb.

Volkswagen Polo Stuffe/Bora

Expected Time of Launch: Late 2015

Expected Price: Rs 5.5-8.5 lakh

Volkswagen is ready to jump on to the compact sedan bandwagon with the Polo Stuffe compact sedan. The Stuffe is still a code name for the car which could be launched under a different name, most probably Bora considering past compact 4-door sedans from Volkswagen. The Polo Stuffe will take on cars like the Honda Amaze, Maruti Dzire, Hyundai Xcent and Tata Zest in the sub-4 metre compact sedan segment.  

The Polo Stuffe will share mechanicals with the Polo and to qualify for the lower taxes should get the set of 1.2-litre petrol and diesel engines already on offer in the Polo. The petrol engine develops 75PS of power and 110Nm of torque while the diesel engine makes 90PS and a healthier 200Nm of torque. Like we have seen with the Polo and the Vento expect more powerful GT TSI and GT TDI versions to follow as well.

New Skoda Rapid

Expected Time of Launch: Early 2015

Expected Price: Rs 8-11 lakh

The Skoda Rapid has recently been lightly facelifted and given a new 7-speed DSG gearbox. That said, the new 2015 Rapid will be based on an all-new platform and feature completely new looks. The new Rapid will be styled to look like the Octavia with its sharp creases and edgy stance. The new Rapid will also feature a brand new interior and a new dashboard making it more premium than ever before.

The new Skoda Rapid will continue to use the same 1.6-litre petrol engine making 103PS of peak power along with the new 1.5-litre diesel mill that does duty in the new Polo and Vento. The 1.2-litre TSI engine will not make an appearance in the Rapid as a result of an agreement between the two sister companies. Expect the Rapid to take the fight to the Honda City and the Maruti Ciaz and priced between Rs 8-11 lakh when launched.

New BMW 7 Series

Expected Time of Launch: Late 2015

Expected Price: Rs 1 crore+

The current BMW 7 series has been with us for almost five years now and hasn’t really changed much since its initial launch. The new 7 Series, BMW claims, will be radically different. The new 7 will take on the segment leading Mercedes-Benz S-Class and the likes of the Audi A8 and the Jaguar XJ.

Recent spy images suggest that the new BMW 7 series will look sportier than its predecessor with a set of twin barrel headlamps combined with LED lights and daytime running lights. The new 7 Series will only be available in the long wheelbase version in India as has always traditionally been the case. The new 7 series will be available in 730d, 750iL and the range topping V12 powered 760iL. There will also be a hybrid version of the 7 series that will be sold in India.

Mercedes-Benz CLA

Expected Time of Launch: Early 2015

Expected Price: Rs 30-35 lakh

Mercedes-Benz is fast increasing its India line-up and the German luxury car marque will soon introduce the much-anticipated Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class. The beautifully designed new Mercedes-Benz CLA will go up against the Audi A3 saloon, aiming at first time luxury sedan buyers.

The CLA-Class shares the same underpinning as the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, B-Class and the recently launched GLA-Class. Unlike the A-, B- and C-Class, which were initially launched with just a petrol engine, the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class will be offered with both petrol and diesel engines right from the beginning.

A 2.0-litre engine making 184PS of peak power and 300Nm of peak torque will power the petrol CLA-Class. For diesel loving Indian, the Mercedes-Benz CLA will be offered with a new 2.2-litre oil-burner, capable of 136PS of peak power and 300Nm of peak torque. Both the petrol and diesel engines will be mated to Mercedes-Benz’s tried and tested 7G-DCT automatic transmission with a dual clutch setup. We expect the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class to be launched at about Rs 30-35 lakh.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Maybach

Expected Time of Launch: Mid 2015

Expected Price: Rs 1.5-2 crore

The Maybach marquee is possibly one of the most significant luxury car brands in automotive history. Although Maybach has always been an independent brand as such, a few years ago, Mercedes-Benz pulled the plug on it due to poor sales. Now though, the Maybach brand is back. Instead of an all new car, the Maybach will now be an ultra luxury variant of the new S-Class.

At 5453 mm long and with a wheelbase of 3365 mm, the flagship of the Mercedes-Benz model range is 20 cm larger in both dimensions than the S-Class Saloon with long wheelbase. Obviously, the rear passengers benefit from this increased size as well as from standard equipment that includes executive seats on both left and right and other exclusive details such as innovative voice amplification. In the rear, the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class is also the world's quietest production saloon car.

The S-Class Maybach will be powered by a 6.0-litre V12 biturbo engine making 530PS of peak power and 830Nm of peak torque in its S version and by a 4.7-litre V8 biturbo engine that makes 455PS in the standard version.

Jaguar XE

Expected Time of Launch: Late 2015

Expected Price: Rs 35-50 lakh

The Jaguar XE will be coming to India by late 2015 to take on the likes of the BMW 3-series, new Mercedes-Benz C-class and the Audi A4. Till now Jaguar didn’t have a sedan in this range to take the fight to the big German three in a segment that has potential for high numbers.

The design of the Jaguar XE is truly modern and attractive. It has a good mix of Jaguar family design cues in all its major elements. The front grille for instance resembles the XJ and the updated XF design and the long bonnet and gills are elements inspired by the gorgeous F-Type. The XE has a sporty stance in side profile accentuated by the sloping roofline and attractive alloy wheel design. The rear gets a lip for the boot lid, taillamps that don’t do justice to the rest of the design and split circular exhaust.

The petrol unit will be a 2.0-litre turbocharged one with two states of tune. The base petrol is a 200PS/280Nm output and the XE’s more powerful version is a 240PS/340Nm mill. If there’s more you seek then the XE in sporty S trim is more likely to please you. The XE S has a 3.0-litre supercharged V6 under its hood. The 345PS/450Nm delivering unit can propel the baby Jag from 0-100kmph in 4.9 seconds on its way to a limited top speed of 250kmph. Apart from that, Jaguar all also soon plonk a diesel mill into the XE to make it appeal to markets like India.