Top 5 Car News Of The Week: Maruti EVs, Toyota Raize Brochure Leaked, 2020 Creta Details, Global NCAP Crash Results & More

Over the last seven days, we got our hands on the leaked brochures of the India-bound Toyota Raize, and dug up more information on the upcoming Renault compact sedan. We also found out that Maruti is not going to launch any EVs in 2020. Meanwhile, the hotly-anticipated 2020 Creta was launched in China, giving us a clearer perspective of what to expect. And closer to home, Mini launched the Countryman Black Edition; Hyundai refreshed the i20 Active; and the Ertiga, WagonR, Santro and the redi-GO were crash tested by Global NCAP.

Expect No EVs From Maruti Suzuki In The Near Future

It seems like Maruti Suzuki will not launch any EVs in 2020. The Indian carmaker was supposed to launch the Wagon R EV in India sometime next year, but has postponed the same citing high product cost and lack of ample infrastructure to support all-electric vehicles as the two main reasons. Instead, Maruti Suzuki will commence its next phase of WagonR EV testing starting next year. 

Toyota Raize’s Leaked Brochure Gives Us More Insight

Toyota’s sub-4m SUV Raize that is supposed to take on the likes of Hyundai Venue and Ford Ecosport was leaked online. The SUV’s brochure revealed both the exteriors and interiors of the SUV. Based on the Daihatsu Rocky, the cabin is almost identical to the Rocky while the exteriors get some minor differentiating bits. Markets abroad will get a 996cc petrol engine that produces 98PS/140Nm while in India, the Raize could be powered by Maruti Suzuki engines.

The 2020 Hyundai Creta Is The Seltos In a Different Attire

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Hyundai has launched the 2020 Creta in China (known as the iX25) with a price tag ranging from Rs 10.64 lakh to Rs 13.75 lakh (converted pricing). Underpinned by the same platform as the Seltos, the new Creta is larger than the existing model and similar to the Seltos in footprint. Speculations regarding the powertrain options have also turned out to be true as the 2020 Creta uses the same BS6-compliant 1.5-litre petrol engine from the Seltos. Look out for the upcoming Auto Expo as the 2020 Creta is expected to debut during the same. 

Limited-Edition Mini Countryman Gets A Dose Of Black

The iconic British carmaker, Mini, has launched the Countryman Black Edition at Rs 42.40 lakh. Limited to just 24 units throughout India, the Black Edition gets a stealth treatment with various exterior bits finished in piano black. Being based on the Mini Countryman Cooper S JCW Inspired variant, the Black Edition also gets all its notable features. It is currently the most expensive Countryman variant in India and shares space with the Countryman Cooper S, Cooper SD and the Cooper S JCW inspired. 

Global NCAP Crash Test Results:  Ertiga, Wagon R, Santro And redi-GO

The latest round of Global NCAP crash test results have come out.  And going by the report, Ertiga, Wagon R, Santro and the redi-GO failed to score more than 3 stars. The Maruti Suzuki Ertiga with 2 airbags scored 3 stars in the crash test while the Wagon R equipped with 1 airbag scored just two stars for both adult and child occupants in the Global NCAP test. Santro also scored two stars, showing mediocre crashworthiness. And last but definitely the least, the Datsun redi-GO didn't even manage to surpass the 1 star mark.

Bonus Round:

Renault’s Answer To The Maruti Suzuki Dzire

Renault is cooking up an all-new sub-4m sedan to rival the Maruti Dzire and the Honda Jazz. It will be the second compact sedan from the French carmaker after the Logan (later Verito). We expect the new sedan to be based on Renault’s popular CMF-A+ platform as the Triber. This supposedly India-specific sedan might debut by 2021 although we expect an announcement in the coming months. 

Hyundai i20 Active Refreshed

Hyundai has silently updated the i20 Active and added wireless charging and a new Stardust colour option. The hatchback doesn't get any mechanical or cosmetic changes and is currently priced from Rs 7.74 lakh.