In the first quarter of 2024, the Indian automobile industry witnessed major product launches from OEMs across different segments. The excitement is set to increase twofold as India’s leading carmakers, including Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Tata, and Mahindra, are ready to roll out their new models. Let’s delve into some key details of the upcoming new cars.
Upcoming New Cars – Maruti, Hyundai, Tata, Mahindra, Jeep, Force
New Jeep Wrangler – April 22nd
The updated Jeep Wrangler, which debuted globally last year, is all set to hit Indian roads on April 22, 2024. The off-road SUV will come with a slightly improved design featuring a sleeker blacked-out grille with a seven-slat design and 17/18-inch alloy wheels in 10 different designs. Multiple roof options will be available, including a soft top (standard), body-colored hardtop, black hardtop, hard and soft top combo, and a Sunrider top. The interior will be revised with a new 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Jeep’s Uconnect 5 system offering connected features such as Trails Offroad guide. The SUV will also come with 12-way power-adjustable front seats, a new semi-digital instrument cluster, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. The 2024 Jeep Wrangler will continue to be powered by the 2.0L turbo petrol engine producing 270bhp and 400Nm. Transmission duties will be handled by an 8-speed torque converter automatic gearbox and Jeep’s Selec-Trac full-time 4WD system.
Mahindra XUV 3XO – April 29th
The Mahindra XUV 3XO is essentially the heavily updated XUV300 slated to go on sale on April 29, 2024. Interestingly, it will be the first vehicle in its category to come with a panoramic sunroof, making it the most affordable SUV in India to offer this feature. The SUV will feature a revised front grille, tweaked bumpers, newly designed headlamps and LED taillamps, and a redesigned tailgate. It will also receive new dual-tone alloy wheels. Most features will be carried forward from the XUV400, including a new 10.25-inch free-standing touchscreen infotainment system, a 10.25-inch fully digital instrument cluster, ventilated seats, a 360-degree camera, and rear AC vents. The XUV 3XO could also be offered with ADAS tech. No changes are expected in its engine setup, with the compact SUV continuing to use the 1.2L turbo petrol, 1.2L TGDi petrol, and 1.5L diesel motors. The major upgrade will be the Aisin-sourced 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox, which will be exclusively offered with the TGDi engine.
New-Gen Maruti Swift – May 9th
The next-generation Maruti Swift prices are scheduled to be announced on May 9th. While the hatchback will continue to underpin the Heartect platform, it will receive major changes inside and out. The India-spec version will be similar to the globally introduced model, with a few changes in the front and rear bumpers and alloy wheels. The interior of the new 2024 Maruti Swift will share resemblance with the Fronx, featuring a newly-designed dashboard and a new 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless smartphone connectivity. On the safety front, the hatchback could feature 6 airbags, electronic stability program, and ABS with EBD as standard fitments. Under the hood, the new Maruti Swift will employ a new 1.2L, 3-cylinder Z-Series engine that will be as powerful and torquey as its predecessor. The same gasoline unit will also be available with mild hybrid tech, making it more fuel-efficient than before.
New Force Gurkha – April/May
Force Motors has confirmed the imminent launch of the updated 3-door Gurkha and new 5-door Gurkha with the release of its teasers. However, the launch date is yet to be announced. Both models will look similar and come with the same 2.6L Mercedes-sourced diesel engine. The new Force Gurkha 5-door will have a 425mm longer wheelbase than its 3-door counterpart, measuring 2825mm. Upfront, the SUV will feature the familiar two-slat grille with the Gurkha badge. However, the front and rear bumpers of the 3-door and 5-door versions could be slightly different. The carmaker will also offer multiple accessories with the SUV, including a roof rack with a jerry can holder, rear ladder, and more. While the 3-door version will have a 4-seats layout, the 5-door version could come with multiple seating configurations – 5-seats, 6-seats, and 7-seats. There will be a shift-on-the-fly 4WD knob placed next to the driver’s seat on the center console.
Tata Altroz Racer – May/June
The Tata Altroz Racer was first showcased at the 2023 Auto Expo, followed by its public appearance at the 2024 Bharat Mobility Show. While the launch date hasn’t been disclosed yet, the model is likely to hit roads in May or June 2024. It will come with the 1.2L, 3-cylinder turbo petrol engine that also powers the Altroz iTurbo. The motor delivers a peak power of 120bhp and 170Nm of torque on the iTurbo variant. However, the Racer version will be 10bhp more powerful and 30Nm torquier. It could be offered with a 6-speed manual gearbox. The Tata Altroz Racer will be painted in a dual-tone color scheme featuring twin racing stripes on the bonnet and roof. The ‘Racer’ badging on the front fenders, newly-designed 16-inch alloy wheels, and a slightly revised grille further differentiate it from the regular model. On the feature front, the Altroz Racer will have a bigger 10.25-inch touchscreen, a 360-degree camera, ventilated front seats (first-in-segment), a voice-assisted sunroof, and HUD.
Hyundai Alcazar Facelift – May/June
The updated Hyundai Alcazar is also expected to launch by May or June 2024. After the updated Creta and Creta N Line, it will be the third SUV offering from the South Korean automaker in the country. Minimal changes are likely to be made to its exterior and interior, while the engine setup will be carried forward from the pre-facelift version. The 2024 Hyundai Alcazar facelift will borrow some of its design elements from the updated Creta, including the headlamp clusters, DELs, front grille and bumper, alloy wheels, and rear taillight design. Inside, the new Alcazar will get dual 10.25-inch screens as seen in the Creta. In fact, the dual-zone climate control, ventilated seats, panoramic sunroof, and ADAS tech will also be sourced from the new Creta. It might come with new upholstery and interior theme. The 2024 Alcazar facelift will come with the existing 1.5L turbo petrol and 1.5L diesel engines making 160bhp and 115bhp, respectively. Both manual and automatic gearboxes will continue to be on offer.
