New year and new beginnings, and automakers around the world, like every one of us, are hoping for better times ahead as they plan big for 2017. Let’s take a look at some of the top cars and bikes that will go on sale in India this year.
New-gen Swift
SwiftMaruti Suzuki India’s flagship model, Swift is getting ready on a new platform. The much-awaited new-gen Swift has already hit the Japanese roads. The new model will be launched with a range of innovative features and with a bolder styling than its predecessor. It is built on the same design platform as that of the Baleno. Suzuki has unveiled variants including Hybrid and RS in Japan, but it is to be seen whether these models will be brought to India or not.
The India-spec model will retain the existing 1.2-liter petrol and 1.3-liter diesel engines. However, the tweaked engines are expected to breathe out more power. The new Swift will also get a 1.0-liter Boosterjet engine and an all-new 1.5-liter unit that has been developed in-house. The carmaker might introduce the new Swift with the SHVS (Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki) mild-hybrid technology featured in Maruti Ciaz.
Prices range between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 8 lakh.
Essentia
EssentiaThe Essentia is Chevrolet's entrant in the fast-growing sub-four-meter compact sedan space. The new model, which shares its platform and engines with the Beat hatchback, will be rolled out in the Indian market in March. It comes in both petrol and diesel variants. The car’s competitors in the segment will be Maruti Suzuki Dzire, Ford Figo, Hyundai Accent, Honda Amaze, Tata Zest, and Tata Kite.
Essentia will come with a price tag ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 9 lakh.
Kite 5
Kite 5The Tata Kite 5 sub-compact sedan based on the Tiago hatchback was first showcased at the 2016 Delhi Auto Expo. The five-seater sedan, which grabbed eyeballs at the event, was unveiled with its internal project code ‘Kite 5’, and the carmaker is yet to reveal its official name. The car will come with a 1.2-liter petrol and a 1.05-liter three-cylinder diesel engines. It is likely to be priced at around the range of Rs 5 to Rs 7 lakh.
BMW G 310 R
BMW G 310 RG 310 R will be the first motorcycle to be developed jointly by BMW Motorrad, the German automaker's two-wheeler division, and the Chennai-based TVS Group. It is powered by a 313cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder four-valve engine with two overhead camshafts and fuel injection. It can churn out a peak power of 34bhp at 9,500rpm and 28Nm of torque at 7,500rpm. The bike is expected to be priced around Rs 3 lakh.
Duke 390
The new-gen Duke 390 from Austrian motorcycle manufacturer KTM-Sportmotorcycle AG will hit Indian shores in February. Deemed the ‘corner rocket’, the bodywork of the bike is sharp, modern and weightless. The engine of the new Duke 390 will be the same 373.2 cc single cylinder, which will generate 43.5 BHP. One notable change is that the underbelly exhaust will be swapped with a regular exhaust. It is estimated to be priced around Rs 2 lakh.
