A number of new cars are expected to hit the road this year. Here is a small list of cars that will be launched in 2013 just to give our readers an idea of what to expect
Although 2012 was a mixed bag for the Indian car industry, the future looks bright as the industry gears up for a number of new cars. In 2013 we are going to witness many compact SUVs and crossovers along with an array of inexpensive small hatchbacks and also a number of premium small cars. There will also be a few performance cars and a healthy number of SUVs and MPVs.
This year we will also witness the launch of the legendary American SUV brand, Jeep.
So here is a small list of the cars that are expected to make 2013 a rocking year for the Indian car industry.
Audi
Last year the German giant impressed us with products like the new TT, the S4 super saloon and the incredibly driver-friendly compact SUV, Q3. Audi is one of the fastest growing luxury car brands in the country and 2012 was just a trailer pointing to the bigger picture. In the next couple of years the company is all set to launch an array of products. In 2013, cars like the S5 and the A3 sedan are going to make their début in India. The A3 will be available at a price lower than those of the A4 and the Q3, thus making the A3 the cheapest Audi sedan in India. It is also expected to become the next best-seller from Audi if they price it right.
Meanwhile, the S5, which is a performance-oriented everyday saloon, will appeal to enthusiasts who are looking for a little fun while on their way to an important business meeting. Along with these two cars Audi are also ready with a new and improved Q5, which will make its début in the Indian market in January itself.
BMW
BMW, the leader in the luxury car segment in India, are all set to launch about six cars in 2013, which will include five facelift/upgrade models of their current cars and one completely new model.
The first in line is the facelift version of the compact SUV, X1, which the company will launch very soon. After the X1, BMW will launch the new-generation 7 Series, which we recently drove in Munich. BMW will also launch the latest Z4 sportscar that recently received a facelift and also a new 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. Following the Z4 will be the facelift version of the X5 SUV and the new 5 Series. Both are expected to hit the Indian market by mid-2013.
BMW are also going to introduce their premium hatchback, the 1 Series, in India by the end of 2013. We expect to see a lot of action on the part of this German giant.
Chevrolet (General Motors)
In 2012, General Motors launched the Sail U-VA, which is a decent little hatch with a lot of interior space, and in 2013 the company is all set to launch a sedan version of the Sail. It will be based on the same platform, but powered by a 1.4-litre petrol motor instead of the 1.2-litre engine that does duty in the hatch.
GM will also launch a revamped Beat this year and also their second MPV in India, the Enjoy, which was first shown at the 2012 Auto Expo. GM are going to make an entry in the growing compact SUV segment by launching the Trax, which made its début at the 2012 Paris Motor Show.
FIAT
The biggest news from FIAT for 2013 is the launch of the Jeep brand in India. The Italian manufacturers are expected to bring in a special-edition Punto, called the Punto Evo.
The Evo belongs to the Abarth family of performance cars, which is FIAT’s in-house tuning firm. The Evo is a much more radical and sportier version of the Punto and also more expensive than the current Punto.
In 2013, FIAT will concentrate on increasing the number of dealerships and service centres in India and will also launch a facelift version of the ageing Linea sedan.
Force Motors
Force Motors made an entry in the passenger car segment in 2011 and in 2013 the company will launch a new MPV, which will primarily be aimed at the taxi segment with features that will also attract large families. Expect it to be launched by the end of the year.
Ford
Big news coming in from Ford as the American giant gets ready to launch its range of new EcoBoost engines in various models and also its first-ever compact SUV for India, the EcoSport.
First shown at the 2012 Auto Expo, the EcoSport will feature the 1.0-litre, three-cylinder EcoBoost petrol engine. It is one of the most anticipated cars of 2013 and has already given rise to a lot of buzz before its launch.
Along with the EcoSport, Ford will also launch an updated version of the Endeavour and also the 2013 Ford Fiesta, which will be one of the cars that are expected to feature an EcoBoost engine.
Honda
The Japanese giant is finally ready to launch its first diesel car in India. The Honda Amaze, which was featured as the cover story of our December 2012 issue, will be the first Honda in India to be powered by a 1.5-litre diesel engine. We expect Honda to launch the Amaze in the first quarter of 2013 with a price tag in the region of Rs 7–8 lakh.
Honda are also going to bring in the latest generation CR-V, which was unveiled recently at an auto show in Europe. Expect the CR-V to be launched by the end of 2013. We also expect Honda to bring in the new and refreshed Accord by the year end.
Hyundai
The Koreans are expected to be on a roll in 2013 as Hyundai are all set to launch a revamped i10 and also a brand-new compact SUV/MUV, which will give the Korean manufacturers an entry into this rapidly growing segment.
The company might also launch the large family hatchback, the i40, in India, though there is no confirmation in this regard as yet. Along with the new i10 and compact SUV/MUV, Hyundai will also replace the ageing Santa Fé with a sleeker and modern ‘Fluidic’ avatar, which made its global début in 2012. The new Santa Fé will feature the same 2.2-litre engine, which Hyundai have improved for better performance and emission.
Jaguar-Land Rover
J-LR are all set to dazzle us by launching their latest sports car, the Jaguar F-Type, in 2013. The F-Type is Jaguar’s first sports car since the E-Type and it has already created a lot of buzz in India as well as the world. We expect the company to bring it to India by mid-2013.
Along with the sports car, Jaguar will also launch an inexpensive version of their luxury sedan, the XF, which will be powered by a 2.2-litre diesel motor and will be the cheapest Jaguar you can buy. Last but certainly not the least will be the latest super saloon from Jaguar, the XFR-S, which will be launched in India.
Apart from launching sedans and sports cars J-LR will also introduce an upgraded Freelander with a radical and robust styling. Expect the new Freelander to be here by mid-2013.
Jeep
This year we will witness the entry of an American legend. After studying the Indian market for a long time FIAT have finally decided to bring the iconic brand to India.
Jeep, which is a part of the Chrysler Group, now owned by FIAT, will foray into India with products like the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Wrangler. Both the products have a huge fan following in the US and we expect them to be quite popular with the Indian crowd as well. Recently FIAT India disclosed their intention to bring in the Jeep brand. The price and other details are not yet known, but we expect the Grand Cherokee to come to India first. It will be launched by the end of the year and will be priced in the range of Rs 40-45 lakh.
Mahindra & Mahindra
After buying the Reva Electric Car Company, Mahindra are all ready to launch the E20, a refreshed version of India’s very own electric car. This new car will be produced at Mahindra’s Bengaluru plant and will be priced at Rs 5–5.5 lakh.
Another new car to bear the Mahindra logo will be a sub-four-metre Verito, an entry-level mid-size sedan.
Apart from these two products we also expect Mahindra to launch the SsangYong Korando, which is a compact SUV from the Korean brand now owned by Mahindra.
Maruti Suzuki
In 2012 the last new product from Maruti was the small Alto 800, which proved to be quite a good car, and in 2013 the company will continue to launch small and reliable products.
The company will launch a facelift version of the A-Star, which will feature all new styling. Maruti will also launch a new compact SUV, which is developed completely by Maruti’s in-house team of engineers. Maruti are also readying a mid-size sedan that will fill the gap between the DZire and the SX4. This new sedan will be based on a new platform and will feature the same 1.3-litre diesel motor and 1.4-petrol motor. Expect a December launch for this sedan.
Apart from cars, Maruti Suzuki will also launch a refreshed version of their only SUV, the Grand Vitara.
Mercedes-Benz
One of the oldest and most trusted luxury car-makers in India, Mercedes-Benz are getting ready to bring in their 
A-Class hatch and sedan into India in a bid to boost sales. The German company will also launch the recently updated E-Class sedan in India by mid 2013.
Mini
Mini, the legendary British brand, will launch the Cooper with diesel engine options. The diesel Cooper will be available with 1.6- and 2.0-litre diesel engines. The 1.6-litre motor that produces about 114 PS of power and 270 Nm of torque is basically an entry-level diesel model, but the 2.0-litre Cooper SD is a more powerful engine that produces about 145 PS of power and 305 Nm of torque and is meant for performance rather than economy. The diesel Mini is expected to make its début by mid-2013.
Nissan
Nissan’s focus in 2013 will be on increasing the number of their dealerships and service stations. The Japanese car-maker will also launch its own version of the Renault Duster. This badge-engineered compact SUV will have different front and rear ends. Nissan will launch this new SUV by mid-2013 at a price similar to the Duster’s.
Porsche
Sports car maker Porsche are expected to launch the Macan SUV worldwide and in India, though the launch date and specifications are not yet known. We expect a late 2013 launch.
Before the Macan, however, Porsche will launch the most powerful diesel Cayenne yet. Equipped with a powerful 4.2-litre twin-turbo V8 the Cayenne S Diesel features clever all-wheel drive and a mind-boggling 850 Nm of torque. The on-road price is expected to be between Rs 1 and 1.10 crore. Porsche are expected to launch this beast by the end of the first quarter of 2013.
Renault
In 2013 Renault India will be concentrating on increasing their product portfolio as also their dealer/service network. The Renault cars that are expected to be launched this year include the small car, Modus, which was caught being tested on Indian roads by us. This small car will be a crucial product for the company and if they price it right, it just 
might become the best-selling Renault in India after the Duster. We expect Renault to launch the Modus by mid-2013.
After the Modus, Renault will be launching the Lodgy MPV to tap the potential of the growing MPV segment. Expect the Lodgy to appear on Indian roads by the end of 2013. Renault will also launch an automatic variant of their mid-size sedan, the Scala, very soon.
Škoda
Škoda’s first car in India was the Octavia and in 2013 it is all set for a comeback. Škoda recently unveiled the all-new Octavia, which is based on Volkswagen’s versatile MQB platform and features contemporary styling. This new Octavia is a notchback, just like the earlier car, but it is now longer and wider, which means enhanced interior space. The engine options will include 1.8-litre petrol and 2.0-litre diesel and the price is expected to be in the Rs 16-20 lakh range. This new Octavia is slated for a year-end launch.
Along with the Octavia, Škoda will also introduce a facelift version of their saloon, the Superb.
Tata Motors
Tata Motors are expected to bring in an inexpensive version of their popular sedan, the Manza. This new and cheaper Manza will be called the Manza CS and will be powered by the Vista’s 1.2-litre petrol engine.
Along with the CS, Tata Motors will also launch a revamped Manza sporting a radical front end and a bold rear end along with a re-designed cabin and dashboard with improved quality. We expect to see the new Manza on road by mid-2013.
Volkswagen
This year VW are going to introduce an array of different Polo models, starting with an automatic variant, which will be powered by a 1.2-litre TSI engine mated to a seven-speed DSG autobox. This engine will certainly make the Polo the most powerful hatchback in its segment. We expect to see the TSI Polo by the end of March 2013.
VW are also working on a new Cross Polo, which will get the 1.5-litre diesel engine. This is the same motor that does duty on the Vento, but VW have reduced the capacity by 100 cc, making it a 1.5-litre unit. The Cross Polo is like an off-roading hatch with rugged styling, higher ground clearance than the normal Polo and bigger wheels. If priced right, this new Polo could open up an entirely new segment in the Indian market. Expect the Cross Polo to hit the market by the end of 2013.
This year VW will also bring in the latest iteration of their popular premium small car, the Beetle. This bug received a major facelift in 2012, losing many of its signature curves. However, its price is not expected to be lower than the current model’s. We expect to see the new bug by August 2013.
VW are also busy testing their new small car, the ‘up!’, in India, though we don’t expect them to launch it in 2013. It is expected to be launched in India by 2014.
Volvo
Volvo have not really been active in India in the recent past, but in 2013 the Swedish car-makers will bring in their hot crossover, the V40 Cross Country, into India.
This new Volvo will be the company’s official entry into the rapidly growing crossover/compact SUV segment. It will be powered by a 2.0-litre D3 diesel engine and will have a front-wheel drive configuration. Pricing is going to be crucial for this new Volvo and if priced right, it might give a tough competition to the likes of the Audi Q3 and BMW X1. The V40 will bear a price tag of about Rs 30 lakh (ex-showroom) and is expected to be launched in the first quarter of 2013.
Story: Ravi Chandnani
