According to a media report, Citroen is planning to launch a sub-4 meter SUV in the Indian market around 2021.

The new model is likely to be a shortened version of the C3 and is expected to be based on an India-specific platform. Citroen is reportedly targeting 90-95% localisation and a price tag of around Rs. 7 lakh. The locally-built compact SUV could also be exported to international markets. 

Reports suggest that Citroen might offer three engine options on its new compact SUV. It might include 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engines with outputs of 82 BHP and 108 BHP and a 1.5-litre diesel unit paired with a 6-speed manual transmission.

Citroen has already announced its plans to launch the C5 Aircross in India. It will is expected to be launched sometime in 2020.

Source: Autocar India

Earlier this month, Kia released the first design sketches of the exterior of its upcoming mid-size SUV. They have now revealed the design sketch of the interior. The SUV will be officially unveiled on June 20, 2019.

The design sketches show that the SP2i mid-size SUV comes with a dual-tone dashboard which houses a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It has a twin-dial instrument cluster with a central MID and a 3-spoke, multi-function steering wheel with buttons for cruise control and voice recognition. It also comes with paddle shifters. The car appears to be equipped with radar-guided cruise control, however, it is unclear whether this feature will be offered in India. The engine start/stop button is placed to the right of the steering wheel.

The lower portion of the centre console houses a display for the single-zone automatic climate control and a rotary controller. Buttons for auto start/stop, all-wheel drive, hill descent control, ventilated front seats and parking sensors are placed on either side of the gear selector. There is a circular controller for offroad settings on the driver's side. The sketch also shows a front centre armrest, two cup holders on the centre console, a grab handle for the passenger on the centre console and an electronic parking brake. The gear lever could get a leather boot with contrast stitching. The SUV will come with ambient lighting and is also likely to get Android Auto.

Reports suggest that the Kia SP2i mid-size SUV could be powered by 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines paired with either a manual or an automatic transmission. Kia could also offer a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

Kia's first mid-size SUV for the Indian market (codenamed SP2i) will be unveiled on June 20, 2019.

Earlier this month, Kia released the first design sketches of the car. The model draws inspiration from the SP Concept and features a tiger nose grille with wraparound LED headlamps on either side. The dual-tone front bumper houses a trapezoidal air dam and a pair of fog lights. At the rear, the SP2i gets LED tail lights, dual-tone bumper with reflectors, a chrome tailgate garnish and an integrated scuff plate.

In India, Kia's first mid-size SUV could be offered with 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engine options paired with manual or automatic transmission. Reports suggest that Kia might also offer a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

Kia has released the first design sketches of its upcoming mid-size SUV.

The styling of the new mid-size SUV is based on the Kia SP Concept that was showcased at the 2018 Auto Expo. It features Kia's tiger nose grille at the front flanked by LED headlamps with integrated LED daytime running lights. The car has a dual-tone front bumper with a trapezoidal air dam and a pair of fog lamps on either side. At the rear, the SP2i has LED tail lights and a dual-tone bumper with an integrated scuff plate and a chrome bar running the width of the car. It also gets reflectors placed just below the tail lights.

Reports suggest that Kia's first mid-size SUV for India could be unveiled on June 20, 2019. It could be powered by 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines paired with manual or automatic transmissions and a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol unit mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

According to a media report, Kia is likely to unveil the production-spec SP2i SUV on June 20, 2019. It is expected to be launched in H2-2019.

Test mules of the SP2i have already been testing on Indian roads for some time now. The spy images suggest that the SUV is likely to get Kia's tiger nose grille at the front with a wide air dam. It could get ORVMs with integrated turn signals and 5-spoke alloy wheels. 

Reports suggest that the SP2i is likely to be powered by 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines paired with either a manual or automatic transmission. Additionally, a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine could also be available. It could be mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. 

Meanwhile, trial production of the SP2i has already commenced at Kia's new production facility at Ananthapur, Andhra Pradesh. 

Source: Autocar India

According to a media report, Renault is planning to launch a new compact SUV (codenamed: HBC) in India sometime next year.

Like the upcoming Triber, the HBC is expected to share its underpinnings with the Kwid. It is expected to be positioned between the Triber and Duster in Renault's line up. 

In addition to the Triber and HBC, Renault is also working on facelift versions of the Kwid and Duster. These cars are likely to be launched later this year.

With two new products and two updates, Renault aims to double its annual sales volume in India to 1,50,000 units. The company is looking to achieve break-even as per their mid-term plan.

Source: LiveMint

Thanks to BHPian neil.jericho for sharing these images with other enthusiasts.

The first undisguised images of the Hyundai Venue have leaked online. The latest images reveal the compact SUV's front fascia, rear end and interiors.

The Venue has a chrome grille similar to the one seen on the Carlino concept. It has projector headlights placed in rectangular pods that are surrounded by LED daytime running lights. A slim light strip is positioned above the main headlamp cluster, which is likely to house the turn signals. The front bumper has a grey insert around the fog lamp pods and an integrated scuff plate. 

The rear of the car features wraparound rectangular tail lamps. The tailgate has the 'Venue' badge in the centre. This particular vehicle is the SX variant and comes equipped with dual-tone alloy wheels. The 'Turbo' badge on the right hand side suggests that the rumoured 1.0-litre, turbocharged petrol engine could be powering it.

The Venue has black interiors and a black dashboard with silver trim. The centre console houses a touchscreen infotainment system and circular controls for the automatic climate control. This particular vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission. The gear lever has silver inserts and silver trim around the base. The car has a 3-spoke multi-function steering wheel and what appears to be a twin-dial instrument cluster with an MID in the centre. The SX variant also appears to come with keyless go.

Reports suggest that the Venue could be offered with 1.4-litre petrol and diesel engine options as well as the aforementioned 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol unit. Transmission options might include a 6-speed manual and 7-speed dual-clutch automatic.

Hyundai's new compact SUV (codenamed: QXi) will be called the Venue in the Indian market. According to a media report, the SUV is likely to be unveiled on April 17, 2019.

Last week, Hyundai had released the first teaser video featuring the new Venue. It is based on the Carlino concept that was unveiled at the 2016 Auto Expo. Therefore, the styling is based on the concept car and is likely to feature a chrome grille with LED daytime running lights on either side. The main headlamps are mounted on the front bumper. 

While the car is expected to be shorter in length (sub-4 meter) compared to the Creta, it does appear to have a similar side profile. Spy images suggest that the car could get roof rails and ORVMs with integrated turn signals. 

Under the bonnet, the Hyundai Venue could get 1.4-litre petrol and diesel engines paired with a 6-speed manual or 7-speed dual-clutch transmissions. Rumours suggest that Hyundai might also offer a 1.0-litre, turbocharged petrol engine option.

The Hyundai Venue will compete with the Maruti Vitara Brezza, Mahindra XUV300, Tata Nexon and the Ford EcoSport in the Indian market.

Source: Autocar India

Hyundai has released the first teaser video of its upcoming compact SUV called the Styx (codenamed: QXi). It is based on the Carlino concept that was showcased at the 2016 Auto Expo.

The video features a camouflaged prototype driving around the Hyundai factory near Chennai. The car is then driven to Pondicherry on what seems to be the first leg of its journey. The next video in the teaser campaign is likely to feature the QXi driving over the Aravali mountains. 

Spy images suggest that the Carlino-based compact SUV is likely to feature a chrome grille with LED daytime running lights on either side and headlamps mounted on the front bumper. In side profile, the SUV looks similar to the Creta and is likely to come with roof rails and ORVMs with integrated turn signals. 

Hyundai's new compact SUV could be offered with 1.4-litre petrol and diesel engines. A 1.0-litre, turbocharged petrol unit could also be on offer, while transmission options might include a 6-speed manual and a 7-speed dual-clutch.

In India, the Hyundai QXi will compete with the Maruti Vitara Brezza, Tata Nexon and the Ford EcoSport.

According to a media report, Tata Motors is developing a new compact SUV (codename: Blackbird) which will be positioned between the sub-4 meter Nexon and the recently launched Harrier.

The report suggests that the SUV will be built on the Alfa platform, instead of the Land Rover-derived Omega platform that underpins the Harrier. It is expected to be more than 4 meters in length but will not be as long as the Harrier.

The Blackbird's design could be based on Tata's Impact Design 2.0 philosophy. On the inside, it is likely to get modern features such as a touchscreen infotainment system and a digital instrument cluster.

Reports suggest that the Blackbird could be offered with updated versions of the 1.2-litre, turbocharged petrol and the 1.5-litre diesel engines that are available on the Nexon. An electric version is also reportedly in the works.

The Tata Blackbird is expected to be launched sometime in 2021 and is expected to compete with the Hyundai Creta and Maruti's upcoming SUV.

Source: Autocar India