What Excites Us Petrolheads About 2020

2019 saw some major developments in the automotive industry in India. Government policy changes, the move toward electrification, BS6 norms, and FASTags are sure to transform vehicle use and ownership for Indians. We are sad to say goodbye to model lines that were discontinued in the face of changing safety and emission norms. But the future looks bright as more international cars and carmakers make their way to our shores. One of these is Citroen, whose first car will be launched this year. We will also get several new electric cars, including the cutting-edge Audi e-tron and Jaguar I-Pace. Electric vehicle (EV) ownership will also become easier with more public charging stations and new affordable EV launches in 2020. Excited yet? Here’s what we have to look forward to in the new year: 

Auto Expo 2020

The 15th Auto Expo comes to us this February with new cars we’ll see in 2020. Maruti’s facelifted Vitara Brezza comes to us with a petrol engine. Tata Gravitas’ SUV breaks cover. Hyundai debuts the new Creta and Verna. Auto Expo 2020 will also see an all-new sub-4m SUV from Renault. Kia will showcase the Carnival MPV and a sub-4m SUV for India. Domestic carmakers will be a big presence at the Expo. Mahindra is all set to grab eyeballs with the new Thar and Scorpio SUVs on display. Electric cars were merely previewed at the last Auto Expo, but they will be the highlight at this year’s show. We’ll also see the Mercedes-Benz EQ cars. The European carmaker might even show us the GLB SUV, which was unveiled globally in 2019. 

New Car Launches This Year

The April deadline for BS6 means that a number of new cars will be launched in 2020 as carmakers will have to update their model lines to meet the upcoming emission norms. Early in the year, we will finally see the launches of the Tata Altroz, Nexon EV and the Audi Q8. Soon after, the Audi A8 will be back in India following a hiatus. Mid-2020 will see launches of Skoda’s premium mid-size SUV, Honda City, and the Renault sub-4m SUV. Expect Citroen’s first car for India, the C5 Aircross SUV, to hit the roads later this year. 

A Smorgasbord Of New Electric Cars

Only two electric cars were on sale for private buyers in India in 2019, but the market is set to grow drastically. The Tata Nexon EV and MG ZS EV will hit Indian roads early this year. Ford is also expected to launch an electric sedan based on the international-spec Aspire. Mahindra’s long-awaited eKUV100 might finally see the light of day. Premium electric cars such as the Audi e-tron and Jaguar I-Pace will also come to our shores this year.   

BS6 and Environment-friendly Regulation

The Bharat Stage 6 norms will be enforced from April 1, 2020. After that deadline, all new cars sold in India will have to comply with BS6 norms. Several carmakers such as Maruti Suzuki, Renault, and Audi will have petrol-only models. Does this mean the future of diesels is bleak? Not yet, since domestic carmakers Mahindra and Tata will continue to sell their oil-burning SUVs after updating the engines for BS6. While this may make small diesel motors less economically viable for India, larger engines in more expensive cars will see a smaller price hike after BS6 updates

Reduced Waiting Times at Toll Plazas  

Another big change for India was the enforcement of FASTags. The Indian government recently mandated that all lanes of all national highways will be FASTag enabled. This means that all national highway users have to equip their vehicles with FASTags. The deadline for nationwide adoption of FASTags has been pushed twice, and lines at toll plazas continue to remain long. However, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and officials at toll plazas are slowly ironing out issues. While the move has been anything but smooth sailing, it is sure to bring relief to highway users. 

Indian Motorsports in 2020

There’s a lot to look forward to in the world of motorsports, especially with regards to the development of new talent and racing series in India. Kicking off the hype is the Honda/Ten10 racing partnership and its progress for the 2020 Asian Road Racing Championship. Can they improve upon their 9th place overall championship position from 2019?. All eyes will also be on Yuvrak Deshmukh and his progress in motocross and supercross. Another thing to watch out will be what Jehan Daruvala does for 2020 after his strong season at F3 to finish 3rd overall in 2019. Will it be F2 or something else entirely? We’ll also be tracking Shahan Ali Mohsin’s progress considering he’ll be shifting to single-seater racing. And finally, next year will be important for the fate of the X1 Racing League. After a rocky opening season, can the league actually deliver on its promises, or will it fade into obscurity after just one season.