1.Nissan X-Trail
.
Nissan Motor India will soon launch the X-Trail SUV in the Indian market. The bookings for the SUV have just begun and the deliveries are expected to start in August. The Nissan X-Trail SUV, in its 4th generation, will be offered in a single variant with a 7-seater configuration. It will also be offered with a single engine option – which is also the world’s 1st production Variable Compression Turbo engine. The Nissan X-Trail was first showcased in India alongside the Qashqai and Juke back in November 2022.
The Nissan X-Trail is based on the Renault-Nissan’s CMF-C platform jointly developed by Nissan and Renault. In terms of design, it features a split LED headlight setup with a large grille. It’s expected to get 20-inch alloy wheels and will also feature LED taillights with integrated spoiler and diffuser. Talking about the engine, it gets a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with 163 hp of power and 300 nm torque. The engine features a variable compression ratio with a 12V mild-hybrid system. It comes paired with a CVT gearbox which sends power to front wheels.
2. Citroen Basalt
Second car on the list is Citroen Basalt Coupe SUV. The Basalt is the fourth model under the company’s C-Cubed programme following the C3 and eC3 hatchbacks, and the C3 Aircross SUV and will directly go against the upcoming Tata Curvv. In terms of design, the front facia of the Basalt looks very similar to the existing C3 and C3 Aircross. It features a different finish for the grille inserts and you also get the same chrome-lined Citroen logo at the top and a two-part grille and a faux silver skid plate.
The design of the LED DRLs and the bonnet remains the same. On the sides, the spied model features steel wheels. But the top-of-the-like variant will likely get multi-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels. It also gets more prominent squared-off wheel arches. The Citroen Basalt SUV retains the pull-type door handles and the pinched window line smoothly flows to meet the boot. At the rear, the boot lid is positioned higher than the bonnet and it features a stubby rear end with clean surfacing. It also gets wraparound taillamps with a chunky silver skid plate, shark fin antenna and dual-tone bumper finished in black and silver.
Royal Enfield Guerrilla450 Review: Pros & Cons of Triumph 400 rival | TOI Auto
Talking about the engine, the Citroen Basalt could get the same 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder turbocharged Petrol engine with 110 hp and 190 Nm torque. Gearbox options will include a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic. As mentioned before it will directly go up against the upcoming Tata Curvv. The new Basalt will also rival the likes of Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Grand Vitara, Volkswagen Taigun, Toyota Hyryder, Skoda Kushaq, MG Astor, and Honda Elevate. We expect a starting price of around Rs 10 lakh (ex-showroom).
3. Mahindra Thar Roxx
Next on the list is the much-anticipated Mahindra Thar Roxx. The Thar Roxx is essentially five-door version of the standard Thar SUV and will be launched in the Indian market on August 15, 2024. In terms of design, the new Thar Roxx features a rugged and bold design with its six vertically stacked double-slat grille. The circular headlamps now feature LED projectors and C-shaped DRLs. While the fog lights and turn indicators retain their positions, they now have a sleeker appearance. Additional updates include dual-tone ORVMs, a silver bumper, and newly designed diamond-cut alloy wheels.
In terms of features, the 5-door Thar is expected to get all-LED headlights with tail lamps, a bigger 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, digital instrument cluster, automatic climate control, push-button start, wireless charging and much more. Talking about the powertrain, the upcoming Mahindra Thar 5-door will likely also be offered with the same 2.2-litre diesel (128 hp) and 2.0-litre turbo-petrol (150 hp) engine options, with both automatic and manual transmissions. What’s more, the 5-door version of the SUV will also likely get the optional 4×2 configuration along with 4×4.
4. Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet
Next car on the list is Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet. The CLE Cabriolet was globally unveiled back in July 2023 and is based on Mercedes’ Modular Rear Architecture (MRA) platform which also underpins the C-Class. In terms of design, the CLE looks very similar to the outgoing E-Class coupe and cabriolet. It gets a large grille upfront with a shark-nose effect and a long bonnet. Globally, Mercedes offers the CLE in both coupe and convertible styles, however in India the company will bring in only the convertible model.
Moving inside, the interior of the CLE looks very similar to the C-Class and gets a 2+2 seating layout. The main highlight of the cabin is the 11.9-inch portrait-style infotainment display and fully digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster. The CLE is available globally with various engine options, including a 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine in two configurations, a 3.0-liter six-cylinder petrol engine, and a 2.0-liter turbo diesel. Mercedes-Benz India has yet to confirm which powertrains will be offered for the CLE in India.
5. Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4Matic
Another Mercedes model on the list is Mercedes-AMG GLC 4Matic. The coupe was unveiled globally back in September 2023. The new GLC 43 4Matic features a sloped rear end, AMG-specific radiator grille with vertical struts, sporty aprons with flics, sporty air intakes, roof-intergrated spoiler, AMG-specific side skirting and quad exhaust tips.
Inside, the coupe features a black interior with Nappa leather, an AMG-spec steering wheel, and sporty bucket seats with AMG-branded elements. The infotainment system gets a new MBUX UI, digital instrument cluster, and HUD display and the Coupe also gets AMG Track Pace software which calculates the lap time and other details.
The AMG GLC 43 coupe will be powered by a mild-hybrid 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine which puts out 416hp of power and 500Nm of torque. Mercedes claims the coupe can sprint from 0-100 kph in 4.7 seconds, and has a top speed of 250 kph. It comes paired with a 9-speed automatic gearbox. They also get a Mercedes 4-Matic AWD system with rear-wheel steering.
6. Lamborghini Urus SE
The SUV is the second model in the Italian manufacturer’s line-up to get hybrid power, and along with that, it also gets interior and exterior styling tweaks. The SUV is the Italian manufacturer’s second model to feature hybrid power, and it also includes updates to both its interior and exterior styling. The Urus SE features a redesigned bonnet that extends further forward, along with a new LED signature and slimmer LED headlamps with Matrix technology. Updates also include new front and rear bumpers and a redesigned tailgate.
Internationally, the model offers 21-, 22-, or 23-inch wheels fitted with Pirelli P Zero tires. Inside, the cabin boasts new dashboard panels and AC vents, with the most notable change being the 12.3-inch central touchscreen, which replaces the previous 10.1-inch unit. This larger screen, shared with the Revuelto, runs on the latest Lambo software. The Lamborghini Urus SE features a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine with a plug-in hybrid system and a 25.9 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. An electric motor integrated into the 8-speed automatic transmission results in a total system output of 800 hp and 950 Nm. Lamborghini claims that the Urus SE can travel up to 60 km on electric power alone. The SUV can sprint from 0 to 100 kph in 3.4 seconds, and has a top speed of 312 kph.