In a bid to cash-in on the upcoming festive season, our carmakers have already started rolling out their long-awaited vehicles. While in July and August, we saw products like Ford Figo Aspire, new-gen Figo, Hyundai Creta, Mahindra TUV300, new-generation Honda Jazz, Maruti Suzuki S-Cross and few others, there will be as many as 4-5 new and facelifted products this month.
Maruti Suzuki Baleno
Unveiled as the Suzuki iK-2 concept at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, followed by the unveiling of its production version - Baleno - in Frankfurt, the vehicle will be launched in the Indian market on October 26, 2015. In fact, the vehicle's production has already begun at the company's Manesar based facility.
This will be the second product that will be sold through the company's recently launched Nexa premium dealership range. The Maruti Suzuki Baleno will be offered in two engine options - 1.2-litre K-Series petrol and 1.3-litre multijet diesel - both of which also do duty on the Swift siblings. Though, both the powertrains will be tuned to return more power.
Expected Launch Date - October 26
2015 Maruti Suzuki Ertiga Facelift
Before rolling out the Baleno in India, the Indo-Japanese carmaker is planning to launch the updated Ertiga in the country in the first half of October. The vehicle will look similar to the model unveiled at the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show in August. Along with receiving quite a few exterior and interior updates, the 2015 Maruti Ertiga will also feature the SHVS (Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki) micro-hybrid system that is also found on the Ciaz hybrid. So with the SHVS system, the updated Ertiga will return better mileage than before.
Expected Launch Date - October 10
Ford India has been on a launching spree this year with the latest one being the new-generation Figo hatchback. Very soon, we'll also see the much-anticipated new-gen model of the Endeavour. Expected to be launched by the end of this month, the new-gen Endeavour is based on Ford's Edge design philosophy and will be more upmarket than its predecessor. In a bid to improve its off-roading capabilities, the company has built it on a new ladder frame chassis. What will further add more to its drivability is the addition of new independent coil-spring layout at the rear as against the current model's leaf spring setup.
Expected Launch Date - End of October
Chevrolet Trailblazer
General Motors India that hasn't launched any all-new product for quite a long time now, is planning to bring in the Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV to India sometime by the end of this month. To be positioned against the Ford Endeavour, Toyota Fortuner and Hyundai Santa Fe, the Chevrolet Trailblazer is likely to be priced in the range of Rs. 20 lakh - Rs. 25 lakh. Based on the company's pick-up truck Colorado, the Trailblazer will feature a 2.8-litre, 4-cylinder diesel unit that is good for 200bhp and 500Nm. Transmitting power to the rear wheels is a 6-speed automatic gearbox.
Expected Launch - End of October
Fiat Abarth Punto Evo
Fiat that recently launched the Abarth 595 Competizione in the country, is now planning to launch the performance-oriented versions of the Punto and Avventura under 'Abarth'. Though the first to come between these two cars will the Abarth Punto Evo, as select Fiat dealers have already started taking pre-orders for the hot hatch. Expected to be launched on October 10, 2015, the Abarth Punto Evo will feature a 1.4-litre T-Jet turbocharged unit that churns out an impressive 145bhp. With such an impressive power figure, the Abarth Punto Evo will also become the country's most powerful hatchback.
Expected Launch Date - October 10
