According to a media report, Honda is working on 2 new SUVs for the Indian market. The carmaker plans to launch a sub-4 meter compact SUV and a product to rival the Hyundai Creta. Both models will be based on the 2UA platform, which underpins the new Amaze, and are expected to be launched around 2021.

The Creta-rivaling SUV is expected to be similarly proportioned and might replace the BR-V. However, whether the new model will be a 5-seater or 7-seater remains to be seen. The sub-4 meter SUV is rumoured to replace the Jazz-based WR-V crossover. In terms of pricing, the new sub-4 meter SUV will be positioned at a lower price point compared to the WR-V, given the fact that it would be based on low-cost platform. It will rival the likes of the Maruti Vitara Brezza, Tata Nexon and Ford EcoSport. 

While Honda hasn't made any official announcement regarding the upcoming SUVs, it has been reported that the cars are likely to use Honda's existing powertrains. The larger of the two might be offered with the 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine that powers the City, while the 1.2-litre petrol unit might be offered on the sub-4 meter model. The existing 1.5-liter diesel engine however is expected to be upgraded to BS VI norms. Transmission options might include a 5-speed manual and CVT.

Source: Autocar India

According to a media report, Kia Motors is planning to launch 5 models in India by 2021. Kia's first car for the Indian market is expected to be a compact SUV based on the SP Concept, which was showcased at the 2018 Auto Expo.

Kia plans to launch two locally manufactured models in addition to two more that will be imported via the completely knocked down unit (CKD) route. Among the locally built cars will be a sub-4 meter compact SUV, which is likely to be based on the upcoming Hyundai Carlino and another un-confirmed SUV. Further, the CKD models being considered for India include the Sportage and Sorento SUVs.

While it seems that Kia would initially be concentrating more on SUVs, the carmaker might also consider launching a hatchback and sedan from its global portfolio in the near future. Meanwhile, construction of the Anantapur assembly unit is already underway and the first cars are expected to roll out in 2019.

Source: Autocar India

Maruti Suzuki will showcase a compact SUV concept at the 2018 Auto Expo. The Future S is a sub-4 meter SUV that is likely to be positioned below the Vitara Brezza.

The official teaser image released by Maruti Suzuki reveals the Future S concept in side profile. The car has an upright stance and a gently sloping roofline. It features a wraparound front windshield, an almost upright A-pillar and a thick C-pillar. It appears to have slim, twin-pod headlights and LED tail lights. The rear end features a steeply raked windshield. It is also reported that this mini SUV will be about 200 mm shorter in length than the Brezza. 

Maruti hasn't provided any details about the engines that could power the concept when it goes into production. However, media reports suggest that it will be based on the HEARTECT platform shared with the new Dzire and the upcoming Swift hatchback. It is likely to be offered with a hybrid powertrain with a 1.2-litre K-series petrol engine along with Maruti's upcoming 1.5-litre diesel unit that is currently under development. While the exact timelines for its launch are not known, the new compact SUV could be launched later this year or early 2019, according to a media report. 

Source: Autocar India

Back in October 2017, there had been reports of Mahindra working on a 5-seat version of the Ssangyong Tivoli-based SUV (codenamed: S201). Now, new spy images have surfaced online which confirm that Mahindra is indeed working on what appears to be a sub-4 meter version of the Tivoli.

Up until now, only spy images of the Tivoli had been doing rounds of the Internet. The latest set of images reveals a much shorter version of the SUV. The rear overhang is considerably shorter, while the rear hatch also appears to have been modified and has test-spec tail lights. Unlike previous test mules, which had alloy wheels, the sub-4 meter prototype is fitted with steel wheels.

It has been reported that the sub-4 meter Mahindra S201 could be offered with a 1.5-litre diesel engine and a 1.2-litre, turbocharged petrol unit. 

Mahindra is also working on a 7-seater version that will take on the Hyundai Creta, while the 5-seater version will square up against the Tata Nexon and Maruti Vitarra Brezza.

Source: Drive Spark

Volkswagen T-Roc in its production form was unveiled earlier this month in Italy. Jurgen Stackmann, sales, marketing and aftersales head at Volkswagen Passenger Cars during the unveiling mentioned, "this (VW T-Roc) type of SUV is also gaining in importance in Brazil, India, Russia and the USA". The statement indicates that the German manufacturer might introduce the SUV to the Indian market sometime in the future.

The T-Roc is Volkswagen's fourth SUV and is based on the MQB platform. It slots under the Tiguan and is set to make its public debut at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show. The SUV measures 4,234 mm in length, 1,819 mm in width, 1,573 mm in height and has a wheelbase of 2,603 mm which is identical to the Tiguan. The 5-seater T-Roc however is shorter, wider and sits lower to the ground as compared to the Tiguan.

In Europe, the T-Roc will have 3 petrol and 3 diesel engine options. The lower variants will be offered with FWD and a manual gearbox while the higher variants will come with AWD and 7-speed DSG gearbox.

VW is yet to introduce their MQB architecture in India and the decision regarding that could be made during management board's meeting in September 2017. A shift to the MQB platform would require considerable investment in reconfiguration of the current assembly line. However, this would also allow VW to introduce some cars like the new Polo, Virtus sedan and possibly the T-Roc in the Indian market. 

Source: Indian Autos Blog

Jeep is reported to be working on a new entry-level SUV in the sub-4 meter segment in India. Codenamed: 515, the new compact SUV will slot in below the upcoming Renegade in the company's model line-up. 

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is still evaluating the vehicle's feasibility given the cost constraints and is likely to be made only if the company's sales numbers are substantial. Additionally, a lot has to be finalized including the engine. That said, media reports suggest, Jeep could offer a downsized version of the 1.6-litre unit from Fiat's 'Family B' engine range. Apart from India, the new SUV could be sold in markets such as Russia and Brazil. 

Jeep forayed into the Indian market with the Grand Cherokee (Driven: Jeep Grand Cherokee) and Wrangler - two low volume premium SUVs that have received a lukewarm response since their launch in August 2016.

FCA's survival in India will depend upon the success of products like the Compass and the upcoming Renegade. There are indications that the Compass could be launched as early as next month. The company plans to launch five SUVs in India by 2020.

Source: Autocar India 

Hyundai is expected to unveil its global B-segment SUV at the Frankfurt Motor Show this year. Ahead of its world premiere, the compact SUV has been spotted without any camouflage in Portugal. The spotted model was likely shooting for the car's commercial advertisement.

The images reveal that Hyundai has given an unconventional design to the Kona SUV, which is a major departure from the current line-up for cars in the South Korean manufacturer's portfolio. While the front end continues to house the cascading grille in the centre, the designers have used a two-tier headlamp arrangement, with slimmer units being placed above, while larger lamps have been placed slightly lower on the bumper. Meanwhile, two fog lamps have been located below the grille, and appear to be quite close to each other, as compared to their normal arrangement.

Thick body cladding has been added around the car to add the SUV-ish characteristics. The rear end also appears to get a two-tier layout for the taillights, with the stop lamp placed just below the windscreen, while the turn indicators and reversing light are located just above the bumper. The cladding on the wheel arches has been extended at the front and rear to surround the lower section of the headlamps and taillights. The spotted model also features large alloy wheels with low profile tyres and a contrasting black coloured roof.

The Kona is expected to be launched in South Korea around August this year. Details about the probable engine options on offer with the Kona aren't known yet, though it might borrow its petrol and diesel powertrains from Hyundai i30.

Source: AutoWeek

Mike Manley, Head of the Jeep brand, has reportedly confirmed that the company is planning to launch a new compact SUV, which will be slotted below the Renegade in the American automaker's portfolio. This step has been taken after the Renegade, which is currently the smallest vehicle in the Jeep line-up, received a favourable response from buyers. The manufacturer felt the need to produce an even smaller Jeep that it plans to aim mainly at developing markets like Brazil and India.

The upcoming compact SUV from Jeep has internally been codenamed as the Jeep MG or Jeep 526. It is likely to be built on FCA's new X6H platform, which is essentially an evolved iteration of the 326 platform. For the Indian market, Jeep could consider keeping the overall length of the vehicle under 4 meters in order to benefit from the lower excise duty applicable on small cars in the country.

The company hasn't revealed any timeline for the introduction of the new offering, as it is still in the initial phases of the product development cycle. But, since the manufacturer is currently concentrating on the recently unveiled Compass SUV, which will enter production in India next year, the all-new compact SUV is unlikely to be unveiled before 2018.

Source: Autocar

Hyundai is working on a sub-4m compact SUV, which is expected to be unveiled in 2018. Media reports suggest that the manufacturer might plonk a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine in the upcoming compact SUV, which will be capable of generating 110 - 120 BHP.

The engine in question is a part of Hyundai's latest range of small-capacity turbo-petrol units, and is already used in the i20 hatchback sold in the international markets. The Korean automaker is reportedly stressing on a stronger mid-range for its upcoming compact SUV, thus opting for the turbocharged option. It will also get a 1.4-litre CRDi diesel engine, which is the same unit that powers the Elite i20, Verna and Creta.

Hyundai had previewed its upcoming compact SUV as the HND-14 design study concept at the 2016 Auto Expo. Once launched, the new sub-4m model will be the smallest product in Hyundai's SUV portfolio, and will thus sit below the Creta in the lineup. It will compete in the same segment as the Maruti Vitara Brezza, Ford EcoSport and (upcoming) Tata Nexon.

Source: Autocar India

Thank you to BHPian mukul32 for sharing this information with other enthusiasts!

A slightly tweaked test mule of the Mahindra Bolero has been spotted in Nashik with camouflaged front and rear bumpers and a new tail gate handle. With recent reports pointing that Mahindra is planning to launch the mini-Bolero (under 4-meter) next month, the spotted model can be a test mule of this new compact Bolero.

The spy shots reveal that the front of the tweaked Bolero gets a relatively flat bumper as compared to the chunky and contoured one on the full-size Bolero. The rear bumpers too have been profiled to avoid any protrusion from the body line, though they do jut out a little from the sides. The tail gate handle has also been redesigned and made thinner in order to avoid it from jutting out of the body.

Except the aforementioned changes, there aren’t any cosmetic updates visible on the new Bolero. The interiors of the test mule were also reported to be similar to the ones offered with the full-size Bolero.

The mini-Bolero is expected to be powered by a 3-cylinder 1.5-litre mHawk diesel engine that will develop around 68 BHP.