#CarsIn2015: Upcoming Utility Vehicles in India

Modified On Dec 30, 2014 12:17 PM By Raunak

In our ‘#CarsIn2015’ series, we bring you an array of upcoming SUVs and MPVs coming to India in 2015.

Renault Lodgy

Launch - First Quarter 2015

Renault India recently showcased its debutant MPV in the country - Lodgy, the vehicle is set to launch next month and will compete with the likes of segment leader Toyota Innova while Maruti Suzuki Ertiga and the recently launched Honda Mobilio are already vying against each other.

Renault Lodgy with Duster’s 110PS diesel will certainly be the most powerful MPV in its class and is likely to change the current scenario  

Renault Lodgy

There are other competitors in the segment but they are hardly making any significant sales compared to these three. Moreover, Lodgy could change this scenario as the MPV looks promising. Based on Duster’s platform, Lodgy will feature the same 1.5-liter K9K diesel probably in the 110PS version (248Nm of max torque) similar to that of Duster. Moreover, like the Duster, it will come equipped with a 6-speed manual box.

Hyundai ix25

Launch - Mid 2015

Compact SUV segment is undoubtedly among the most popular segments in the country and India’s second largest automaker and top exporter is all set to enter into it with the flamboyant ix25!

Hyundai ix25

With Fluidic Sculpture 2.0, ‘Baby Santa-Fe’ is unquestionably the most stylish compact SUV  

Hyundai ix25

Speaking of the powertrains, ix25 is reportedly getting engines from Verna, the expected motors are the 1.6-liter - CRDI diesel and VTVT petrol. The vehicle will compete with Renault Duster, Ford EcoSport, Nissan Terrano as its major rivals. Adding to its vividness and taking into account its Chinese avatar, ix25 is coming with segment-first features like daytime running LEDs and projector headlamps!

Hyundai ix25

Ford Endeavour

Launch: Mid 2015

Ford has recently revealed the next-gen Endeavour in China and is launching it in nine countries including India next year. The current Endeavours which is over a decade old, will be replaced by a brand new SUV and indeed it is coming with new engines.

Ford Endeavour

Toyota Fortuner need to be aware of the new ‘Endy’ from Blue Oval

Ford Endeavour

Adding on the features, the new Endeavour is coming with projector headlamps, daytime-running-LEDs, LED taillamps, 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system probably featuring Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment system, amongst other.

Ford Endeavour

Speaking of the engines, the 2015 Endy will be powered by a 4-cylinder 2.2-liter and 5-cylinder 3.2-liter TDCI diesels and are mated to a six-speed manual and automatic transmissions. Moreover, it also features shift-on-fly 4WD and comes with Terrain-Management-System sporting - Normal, Snow/Gravel/Grass, Sand and Rock modes.

Jeep Wrangler & Grand Cherokee

Launch: Somewhere in 2015

With a little delay, Fiat is all-set to launch the ‘Jeep’ brand in India, the iconic Wrangler and Cherokee are the very first nameplates to enter in the Indian market. Jeep was owned by Chrysler and since Fiat bought Chrysler, its now under Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. In India, Jeep will have separate retail showroom and will not be sold at Fiat dealerships.

Jeep Grand Cherokee

‘Wrangler’ and ‘Cherokee’ - Iconic American nameplates are finally entering India in 2015 

The flagship Jeep Grand Cherokee will compete with the likes of Audi Q7, BMW X5, MB ML Class while the Wrangler will be a niche product.

Jeep Wrangler

Audi Q7 & Q3

Launch: Q3 - First Half 2015; Q7 - Later 2015

Audi has revealed the second-gen Audi Q7, the new flagship SUV will go on sale in Europe starting 2015, so we can expect it to enter India later next year or in the second half. Moreover, Audi also revealed the facelifted Q3 just before the Q7, the updated Q3 will go on sale globally early next year and is set to debut in India before its big brother Q7!

Audi Q7

Second-gen Q7 is 325 kilos lighter, thanks to multi-material body making its sportier and efficient  

Audi Q7

Adding on the motors, In India, the new Q7 will be powered by an updated version of the 3.0 TDI V6 diesel. The motor pumps out 272 hp and a peak torque of 600 Nm, clocks 0-100kmph in 6.3 seconds and extracts 149 gm/km of C02. On the design front, Q7 has the essence of the ongoing SUV but adds the Audi’s current design philosophy and techys like - optional Matrix-LED lighting, Audi’s new signature double arrow daytime running LEDs and single frame grille to name a few.

Audi Q3

About the new Q3, the SUV features the company’s new single-frame grille, refreshed face and updated features. The side profile of the new Q3 is kept unaltered. On the engine front,  Audi India is likely to continue with the current 2.0 TDI diesel motor only.

Audi Q3

Honda CR-V facelift

Launch- Mid 2015

Honda also revealed the CR-V facelift recently, the mid-life refresh of Honda India’s flagship SUV is expected to come sometime mid-next year. Moreover, there are rumours that CR-V is finally getting a diesel heart with this update.

Honda CR-V

Rumours has it, Honda CR-V facelift is coming with 1.6-liter i-DTEC diesel  

Honda CR-V

Moreover, speaking of the petrol engine, the 2015 CR-V gets a new direct-injected 2.4-liter four-cylinder mill, capable of churning out 185 bhp and 220 Nm of peak torque. While power is largely unchanged from the previous model year, its torque is up by 11 percent. The new engine is lighter than the previous unit, and comes coupled to a new continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Honda CR-V

Land Rover Discovery Sport

Launch: Second half  2015

Discovery Sport

Tata Motor’s Land Rover will launch the Freelander 2 replacement in 2015 in India. Showcased this year - Discovery Sport features brand’s current design philosophy featuring similarity’s with the Range Rover. Speaking of its rivals, Discovery Sport will compete with Audi Q5, Mercedes ML Class, BMW X3 and Volvo XC60.

Discovery Sport will help Land Rover to compete well with German Rivals in India when it comes to sales!

Discovery Sport

Maruti Suzuki SX4 S-Cross and YBA

Launch- Early 2015  

Maruti Suzuki India (MSI), country’s largest carmaker is all set to invade the growing compact SUV space. One of the Europe’s favourite crossovers, SX4 S-Cross is coming to India early next year. The vehicle will marjory tackle Renault Duster and Nissan Terrano. Adding on it, S-Cross comes with trendy features like daytime-running-LEDs, projector headlamps and is likely to comes with Suzuki’s AllGrip 4WD technology. SX4 S-Cross is reportedly getting 1.6-liter diesel and petrol.

Suzuki SX4 S-Cross

SX4 S-Cross is likely to debut Suzuki All-Grip 4WD technology

Moreover, Maruti is also entering into the sub-4m compact SUV space with YBA (codename). MSI is currently testing the vehicle, the compact SUV is likely to be powered by 1.3-liter Multi-Jet diesel and 1.4-liter K-series motors. ‘YBA’ could also feature All-Grip AWD.

Maruti YBA

Image source (Autocar India)

Mahindra ‘S101’ & Bolero

Mahindra’s maiden venture in the compact SUV space - Quanto did not prove fruitful. Having said this, India’s largest utility maker is readying itself enter again with the codenamed SUV ‘S101’. The vehicle is currently under tests and is expected to launch sometime next year. Moreover, according to the reports, it is also debuting Mahindra’s new petrol engines.

Mahindra S101

Mahindra Bolero is getting biggest overhaul of its lifetime

Talking about the Bolero, India’s largest selling utility vehicle is prepping up for a major overhaul. M&M is rigorously testing the new Bolero and even a test mule was spotted in Germany. Apart from its new interiors and exteriors, Bolero will be getting a new heart as well.

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