If you thought 2017 was an exciting year for the automotive industry, well you'll be surprised at what 2018 has to offer. The year is going to start off with a bang with a whole bunch of launches coming out way as we gear up for the Auto Expo. Of course, the rest of the year has more in stored. We take a look at what cars to expect in 2018 so that you can start saving for your favourite car right away.
The Ford Freestyle marks the company's entry into the crossover segment
Ford India has been waiting and watching the crossover segment. The company has seen potential in this segment and that's one reason why it has been working on developing the Freestyle. Visually, the Ford Freestyle comes with a rugged styling with a host of black design elements for the grille, bumper inserts, underbody cladding and ORVMs among others. The Freestyle also gets larger sweptback headlamps, silver skid plate, subtle character lines on the bonnet and profile, side-body cladding and roof rails. The car runs on a set of smart twin-five-spoke alloy wheels and also gets LED taillamps. The Freestyle will also come with the company's new signature floating style touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone integration, offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with the company's SYNC3 connectivity feature. Powering the new Ford Freestyle will be an all-new 1.2-litre Dragon series petrol engine that makes 94 bhp, in addition to the tried and tested 1.5-litre three-cylinder diesel engine making 99 bhp. Both the engines are three-cylinder units and will come mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard.
Expected Launch: April 2018
Expected Price: Rs. 6.5 lakh - Rs. 8.5 lakh
The X3 has been a popular choice among SUV buyers in India
Launched originally in 2003, over 1.5 million new X3s have been sold in the last 14 years across two generations. In India, the BMW X3 has been a popular option for customers who wanted a Rs. 50 lakh BMW but wanted an SUV instead of the staple 3 Series. The new generation sees a grille which is now much larger as compared to older generation. It gets a larger bumper and bigger air intakes and a set of LED hexagonal fog lamps. The new X3 also features full LED headlamps and fog lamps along with a set of full LED 3D tail lamps. The new X3 also gets a larger standard wheel size - 18-inches with the top spec model getting a set of 21-inch wheels. The X3 will only be available with the diesel engine to begin with and will rival the likes of the Mercedes-Benz GLC, Audi Q5, Volvo XC60 and even the Range Rover Discovery Sport
Launch: April 19, 2018
Expected Price: Rs. 55 lakh - Rs. 60 lakh
The Toyota Yaris boasts of a whole bunch of first-in-segment features
Toyota is all set to bring in the Yaris compact sedan to India and we caught a glimpse of the car at the 2018 Delhi Auto Expo. The company promises to bring in a whole bunch of features which will help it take on established rivals like the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, Honda City and even the Hyundai Verna. Toyota plans to bring it only with the petrol engine for the time being and now dealers have started taking bookings for the car which is all set to be launched in May 2018. There are a whole bunch of features that the car will get and Toyota promises many segment-first features like 7 airbags (including curtain and knee airbags), a tyre pressure monitoring system, disc brakes on all wheels, a roof-mounted air recirculation vent with LED highlight for rear passengers, a power adjust driver-side seat, parking sensors up front (and at back - though that's available on rival cars), and gesture control for the audio. It also gets ABS with EBD, stability control, auto projector headlamps, alloy wheels, a shark fin antenna, rear camera, touchscreen navigation, faux leather seats, cruise control, paddle shift on the CVT, steering mounted controls, rear power outlets, and a start button.
Expected Launch: May 2018
Expected Price: Rs. 7.5 lakh - Rs. 9.5 lakh
Jeep India is all set to launch the new off-road-spec Jeep Compass Trailhawk in India this year and the company has been doing some extensive testing with the SUV. Visually, the Jeep Compass Trailhawk comes with a more rugged looking front bumper with bulbar-like bumper cladding, two red colour tow hooks on either side of the air dam, and a skid plate. As mentioned earlier, there is a large black stripe on the bonnet, a blackened A-pillars and roof, and the ORVM covers are also coloured in black. While the alloys aren't visible in these images, the SUV also gets sportier looking 17-inch alloys shod in all-terrain 225/60 R17 tyres. There is also the signature 'Trail Rated' badging on the sides and the 'Trailhawk' badge on the tailgate, along with a new rear bumper with a single two hook and the 4x4 badging. The Compass Trailhawk is likely to be offered with the existing 2-litre, 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine that will be mated to a 9-speed automatic gearbox.
Expected Launch: April 2019
Expected Price: Rs. 23 lakh
The Mahindra MPV will be a 7 seater
Mahindra has had a good run with its MPVs, especially the Xylo, but it's time to move on. The new MPV will be a seven seater and is likely to get a monocoque construction. The exterior design gets Mahindra's signature chrome toothed grille with horizontal headlamps equipped with projector lights and LED daytime running lights. Other features could include an electric sunroof, sporty alloy wheels, plastic underbody cladding and more. The production version is likely to get audio and telephony controls, especially the range-topping models. The U321 also gets a large twin pot instrument cluster with a horizontal digital display at the centre displaying a host of information. The MPV also features large air-con vents, fabric upholstery, dual tone beige and black interior panels and more.
Expected Launch: April 2018
Expected Price: Rs. 8 lakh onwards
The Volvo XC40 is based on the new CMA platform
Volvo will launch its most affordable and smallest SUV in India by mid-2018. XC40 is the first model on Volvo Cars' new Compact Modular Architecture which will underpin all other upcoming cars in the 40 Series, including fully electrified vehicles. The XC40 will go up against the likes of the Audi Q3 and the BMW X1. In terms of safety, the Volvo XC40 gets pedestrian, cyclist, vehicle and large animal detection with emergency autobrake, Pilot Assist and Run-off Road protection.
Also Read: All You Need To Know About The Volvo XC40
It also gets wireless QI mobile phone charging and Bluetooth connectivity, 9-inch Sensus Connect touchscreen and a dedicated cell phone storage space. From the start the XC40 will be available with a D4 diesel or a T5 petrol four-cylinder Drive-E powertrain. Further powertrain options, including a hybridised as well as a pure electric version, will be added later. The XC40 will also be the first Volvo model to be available with Volvo's new 3-cylinder engine.
Expected Launch: Mid-2018
Expected Price: Rs. 45 lakh
The Santro will go up against the likes of the Tiago, Celerio, Kwid and redi-GO
Hyundai is gearing up to revive the Santro nameplate with an all-new car. There is a chance that we'll see the car at the 2018 Auto Expo in February and a launch soon after. Upon launch, it will rival the likes of Maruti Suzuki Celerio, Renault Kwid, and Tata Tiago. We expect to see a 0.8-litre and 1.0-litre engine options, possibly the same petrol mills that the i10 used to offer. Transmission duties to be carried out by a 5-Speed manual gearbox and Hyundai might also consider offering an AMT option, seeing the growing demand for an automatic option in entry-level cars in India.
Expected Launch: Mid-2018
Expected Price: Rs. 4 lakh - Rs. 6 lakh
The Ford Figo and Aspire will get subtle updates this year
The Ford Figo hatchback and Aspire sub-compact sedan are due for a mid-life cycle in 2018. Ford India is already testing the updated models that will get design tweaks along with an updated cabin. Expect to see a new touchscreen infotainment system; while making its way under the hood will be the newly developed 1.5-litre petrol engine from the EcoSport facelift. The 1.5 litre TDCI diesel will continue to do duty on the models.
Expected Launch: March 2018
Expected Price: Rs. 5 lakh - Rs. 8 lakh
(The Amaze will sport a wider and roomier cabin along with updated features )
Honda plans to launch six models over the next three years, and will kick-star this line-up with the second generation Amaze. The sub-compact sedan will receive a complete revamp and will be a lot more premium and upmarket. The new Amaze will sport a wider and roomier cabin, along with new equipment and better quality materials. The new generation Amaze will continue with the same platform while the 1.2 -litre petrol and 1.5 litre diesel engines will see revisions for more power and fuel economy.
Expected Launch: May 2018
Expected Price: Rs. 6 lakh - Rs. 8 lakh
