Here we have listed the ten India-bound cars waiting to be unleashed at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show hosted between March 5 and 17
Tata Motors will use the 2019 Geneva Motor Show as a launch pad for its future products. The homegrown automaker has the tradition of unveiling top-notch machines in Geneva over the last two decades and it all began with Tata Safari, Tata Sierra and Tata Small Car Prototype.
I did not include the Compass Night Eagle Edition and Compass S despite possessing chances of entering India in the near future as they are just new variants. But what are the other cars debuting at the motoring exhibition that have high potential of coming to India? Here we find out in our top 10:
1. Tata Altroz
Tata Motors will be aiming a lion’s share of the premium hatchback segment with the Altroz as it will compete against Maruti Suzuki Baleno and Hyundai Elite i20 upon domestic launch in H2 2019. It is the first model based on ALFA platform and the second to adorn the Impact Design 2.0 philosophy. Borrowing design inputs from the 45X concept, the Altroz will be powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine with manual and automatic transmission choices.
2. Tata H7X
Tata hasn’t officially revealed the name of the seven-seater Harrier most commonly known as H7X. It will go on sale later this year and is based on the OMEGA platform as its five-seat sibling.
It will take power from the same 2.0-litre FCA-sourced four-cylinder diesel engine uprated to produce as much as 170 PS as in the Jeep Compass with manual and Hyundai-sourced AT gearbox choices. It will have exterior changes compared to the Harrier noticeably the most obvious longer rear overhang and will be more upmarket.
3. Tata Altroz Electric Concept
The modular ALFA architecture appeals to the upcoming Tata cars spanning below 4.3 metres in length and is adaptable for electric drivetrains as well. It will be used in the conceptual version of the Altroz EV whose production model could still be two years away. Tata could use the opportunity with the Altroz EV concept to exhibit its latest innovations.
4. Tata Micro SUV Concept
Tata has been working on a micro SUV to rival Mahindra KUV100 and Maruti Concept Future S based production model and we exclusively brought you the spy shots earlier. The conceptual version of what has been reportedly billed Hornbill will make its world premiere in Geneva and is underpinned by the same ALFA platform as the Altroz.
5. 2020 BMW 7-Series
BMW will have the facelifted 7-Series as one of its major highlights in Geneva. It will feature design updates such as a pair of bigger kidney grille, sleeker headlamps, flatter bonnet, etc. It will be offered with a whole host of engine options including a petrol-electric plug-in hybrid and a top-of-the-line V12. Except the new 7-Series to debut in India sometime later this year.
6. Skoda Kamiq
Skoda has revealed the official images of the Kamiq compact SUV that sits below the Karoq in the global lineup. It holds plenty of significance for India as the Czech brand has taken charge for the India 2.0 project on behalf of the VW Group and will be launching its first heavily localised compact SUV based on the MQB A0 IN platform next year.
It could very well be the Kamiq targetting premium SUV buyers and even if Skoda decides to have a different name for India, the exterior and interior will likely be almost similar.
7. Lamborghini Huracan Evo Spyder
Lamborghini will greet the 89th Geneva Motor Show by unveiling the revised Huracan Evo Spyder less than three weeks after the Huracan Evo hard top variant was launched in India at Rs. 3.73 crore (ex-showroom). It comes equipped with an uprated naturally-aspirated 5.2-litre V10 engine capable of producing more power and torque – pumping the overall performance outputs to 640 hp and 600 Nm.
It is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission sending power to all the four wheels with zero to 100 kmph time in just over three seconds and claimed top speed of 202 mph (323 kmph). It will likely be introduced during the course of this year in India.
8. Mercedes-Benz GLC Facelift
Mercedes-Benz will also have a compelling presence at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show and will lift the cloaks off the new CLA Shooting Brake. However, from the Indian perspective, the GLC is braced to receive a facelift to be in line with the late C-Class with newly designed headlamps, refreshed tail lamps and more efficient engines including a a new 2.0-litre diesel and a possible plug-in hybrid version.
The interior will gain new digital dials and an updated infotainment system providing access to Apple CarPlay. Level 2 autonomous capability will also be incorporated into the updated GLC.
9. Mercedes-Benz V-Class Facelift
An all-electric version of the V-Class MPV under the concept EQV banner will enter production in the early parts of next decade. The regular version of the V-Class will also be treated with cosmetic and interior updates at the Geneva Motor Show. It could enter India in 2020 seeing the response of the recently launched MPV at starting price of Rs. 68.40 lakh (ex-showroom).
It takes power from a 2.2-litre, four-cylinder BSVI diesel engine generating 161 bhp and 380 Nm of peak torque and is connected to a 7G-Tronic automatic gearbox. It is brought into the country via CBU route from Spain and is sold in Expression Line and Exclusive Line options.
10. Range of Audi Plug-in Hybrids
Audi will use the 2019 Geneva Motor Show to reveal a range of new vehicles. Some caters for the future perspective with electrified technology while the others are more realistic just as the PHEV versions of the Q5, A6, A7 and A8. The TFSI e powertrain will enable them to return 25 miles (approximately 40 km) of all-electric driving range while developing a maximum of 295 bhp in 50 TFSI e comfort except the A8 in its 3.0-litre V6 form.
The three driving modes on offer will be EV, Auto and Hold with each having specific functions. We can expect the TFSI e powertrain to be introduced in India before the switch to zero-emission tech.
11. Audi Q4 e-Tron
I am not make this up saying the Q4 e-Tron will definitely be coming to India but the chances are very high because of a number of reasons. Just as every other luxury car manufacturer, Audi will be looking to make a big statement in India with its range of electric vehicles. Compared to the developed countries, it may take a little more time to arrive but the eventual factor cannot be rubbished away.
Audi will showcase the all-electric e-Tron compact coupe SUV concept car at the Swiss show indicating that it is still quite sometime away from production. In fact, the production will kick off towards the end of 2020 and is based on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB modular architecture. It will be the first Audi to use the futuristic platform signalling that we may as well see it on Indian roads in the near future.
12. Hyundai Tucson N Line
The N performance range is relatively new to the international arena and if Hyundai wants to pursue with it in India, it does not have to look further than the Tucson as it is already available here. The Tucson N follows the same line as the i30 N hot hatch.
It could use a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine delivering close to 300 horsepower with mechanical upgrades including tuned chassis and suspension. The exterior will have its share of N treatment as well with bold cosmetic updates.