MUMBAI :

This year witnessed the launch of several new cars and SUVs in the Indian market from ICE vehicles to EVs to Hybrids, it seemed like everyone wanted to further strengthen their presence in the domestic market. Now, with the New Year around the corner, automakers are once again getting ready to launch a slew of new cars and SUVs in the country. With several of them having already announcing their plans to do so, here’s a look at the most awaited car launches in 2024.

Tata Curvv

Tata Curvv was first showcased to the public in concept form in 2022. However, it was only earlier this year at Auto Expo 2023, in India, that it presented a near-production form. Reports suggest that the Curvv mid-sized SUV, which will directly rival Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta and Skoda Kushaq. Will it launch in the first half of 2024 in both EV and ICE versions? We’ll have to wait and watch. The Curvv has already been spotted multiple times during its test runs on Indian roads and the spy images indicate that the rear quarter glass on the Curvv is missing. The 5-seater SUV will come loaded with an array of modern features such as Panoramic sunroof, Heads-up Display (HUD), 360 camera, Adaptive cruise control, Height adjustable seatbelts, and Ventilated seats. The Curvv EV will be based on the brand’s Gen 2 EV architecture with a range of 500 km on a single charge. The ICE version, on the other hand, will be powered by an all-new petrol engine which is presently in the development phase.

Mahindra Thar 5-door

Mahindra & Mahindra is all set to bring a more traditional version of their highly popular Thar SUV with 5-doors. In fact, it has been learnt that the new Thar 5-door will come loaded with an all-LED lighting setup – in terms of the headlamps, the DRLs and the tail-lamp cluster. The alloy wheel design could also be tweaked in order to bring freshness and distinguish it from the existing 3-door version. The information regarding the cabin and features is scarce but we expect a handful of updates. The engine options are likely to be retained from the 3-door model with the 2.2L diesel and 2.0L turbo petrol units which will be pressed into service respectively. These powertrains will be offered with both manual and automatic gearboxes alongside the 4x4 and 4x2 drive choices. Mahindra Thar 5-door’s launch in India will happen by mid 2024.

Lotus Emira

Lotus, the British supercar marquee, recently forayed into the Indian market with the launch of the Eletre high-performance electric SUV. Now, the company has made it official that its second product offering in India will be the Emira supercar, which will reach showrooms by mid 2024. Having made its debut back in 2021, Lotus Emira is the brand’s last ICE-powered vehicle. The 2-door coupe borrows styling cues from the Evija hypercar with a sleek design. As for features, it is equipped with all-LED lighting, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with connected car tech and Smartphone integration. In international markets, it comes with two engine choices: an AMG-sourced 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo-petrol unit and a 3.5L V6 supercharged mill which is obtained from Toyota.

New-Gen Skoda Superb

The fourth-gen Skoda made its world premiere on Nov 2, 2023, in Dolní B?ežany, Czech Republic. The next-gen model will hit the Indian shores in the second half of 2024 as the brand’s flagship vehicle. The new-generation Skoda Superb has been presented in both sedan and estate body styles with a total of six powertrains. The latter though has been ruled out for the Indian market as estate body types are not preferred by the buyers. Some of the notable features in the new sedan are new LED Matrix beam headlights, Free-standing 13-inch Infotainment system, Head-up display, Phone Box with 15-watt fast charging, Ergo seats with ten pneumatically controlled massage cushions, Turn Assist and Crossroad Assist. It gets three petrol engines, two diesel engines and a plug-in-hybrid with an all-electric range of more than 100 km. It is still not known whether the plug-in-hybrid variant will make it to India or not but the ICE variants will certainly make it to the Skoda dealerships in India.

2024 Kia Carnival Facelift

The South-Korean automaker will bring back the Carnival premium MPV next year in the Indian market. Recently, the 2024 Kia Carnival facelift made its global debut in Korea and within six months, it is expected to go on sale in India. With the brand’s latest ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy, the MPV receives considerable makeover in terms of appearance. The feature list too is going to be way more plush, premium, and modern. It will continue to be powered by the same 2.2L diesel engine with an 8-speed auto transmission. Kia could offer multiple seating configurations with the new Carnival for better convenience of buyers. The 2024 Kia Carnival will go up against Toyota Innova HyCross in the domestic market.

Nissan X-Trail

Nissan X-Trail has been teasing Indian buyers for quite a long time now, and from what we have heard is that it will finally be launched next year in the country. Last year in October, Nissan had showcased the X-Trail along with Qashqai and Juke EV in India. Recently, the Japanese brand stated that it will introduce six new cars in the domestic market and X-Trail would be the first one to go on sale. To be sold as a CBU, it will directly rival the likes of Skoda Kodiaq, Toyota Fortuner, MG Gloster and Volkswagen Tiguan. In global markets, X-Trail can be availed as a 5-seater as well as 7-seater SUV. However, the India-spec model will strictly be a 7-seater petrol SUV. Based on the Renault-Nissan CMF-C platform, it is sold with two engines: a naturally-aspirated 2.5L petrol engine and a 1.5L petrol hybrid unit. The India-bound SUV is expected to come loaded with the latter, albeit with Nissan’s e-power technology.

Renault Kwid EV

Renault is all set to disrupt the EV segment in India with the all-electric version of the Kwid hatchback. Initially, it was reported to launch in 2025 in the Indian market but it should arrive by the end of 2024 in the country. Already sold as Dacia Spring in Europe, it carries a 26.8 kWh battery pack which returns a driving range of 225 km (WLTP) on a single charge. The Spring EV has a top power of 44 bhp and peak torque of 125 Nm. Upon its launch in India, it is expected to get a similar battery pack and range. It has been learnt that the Kwid EV will be highly localized to ensure aggressive pricing. It will square off with the likes of Tata Tiago EV, Citroen eC3 and MG Comet. Don’t be surprised if the Kwid EV after its arrival, becomes the most affordable electric car in India. 

Next-Gen Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Mercedes-Benz will launch the next-generation model of the E-Class in the last quarter of 2024 in the Indian market. Already unveiled in China in the long wheelbase form, the India-spec version will get significant updates in terms of design and features. The company will focus more on the rear seat comfort and in all likelihood will introduce diesel engine options with the new E-Class. Based on the same MRA2 platform (Modular Rear Architecture) as the new S-Class and C-Class, it will be longer, wider and more spacious (bigger wheelbase) than the current model. The cabin will boast three screens as we have seen with the EQS which the Mercedes-Benz calls Superscreen, with a 14.4-inch central infotainment system with two separate 12.3-inch screens for the driver and the front passenger. Last but not the least, both petrol and diesel engines will be paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid tech.

BMW i5

Having made its global premiere earlier this year in May, BMW i5, will finally reach Indian shores in 2024. Available in two grades, M60 xDrive and eDrive 40 with a 81.2kWh lithium-ion battery pack as standard, it will have a driving range of 455-516km and 497-582km, respectively, on the WLTP cycle. Based on BMW’s Cluster Architecture (CLAR), the i5 sedan can be charged from 10-80 percent in merely 30 mins by using a 205 kW DC charger. Some of the notable features on-board will be ambient lighting, panoramic sunroof, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen. It will have no direct rival in the Indian market and should enjoy an uninterrupted run.

Citroen C3X

Citroen, the French auto brand, will expand its product portfolio in India by introducing the C3X crossover sedan in the second half of 2024. Already spotted several times on India roads as a test mule, it will be underpinning the India-specific CMP modular architecture. Despite being essentially a sedan, the C3X will have higher ground clearance and is expected to take on Honda City, Volkswagen Virtus and Skoda Slavia. The overall styling will be inspired from the C3 Aircross and it will measure nearly 4.3 meters in length. The cabin and features too will be borrowed from the C3 Aircross in the form of all-digital instrument cluster and 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Under the bonnet, Citroen C3X will feature a 1.2L turbocharged petrol engine which will be good for 110bhp while mated to a manual gearbox as standard.

2024 Hyundai Creta Facelift

It would not be an understatement to term the 2024 Hyundai Creta facelift launch in India the most awaited one as auto afficionados have been eagerly waiting for it. The new SUV is all set to be launched in Feb 2024 in the Indian market and it will not be a subtle makeover but is expected to get substantial updates. The styling is heavily inspired from the new Tucson with several elements such as the grille, headlamps and bumper to be on similar lines. The updates inside the cabin will be more prominent in nature as it is also expected to flaunt a new steering wheel, instrument cluster and infotainment system. It has also been learnt that the 2024 Hyundai Creta will feature ADAS tech. However, as far as engine and transmission choices are concerned, it will carry the same units as the new Kia Seltos, which is the 1.5L naturally aspirated petrol, 1.5L turbo petrol and 1.5L diesel, with no change in power and torque.